Former Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Lee Skaggs, 25, of Mineral Point has been charged with two felonies for allegedly molesting and endangering two young girls, according to court documents.
Skaggs was charged on Dec. 13 with one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, and fourth-degree child molestation, a class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
He turned himself in to authorities today (Dec. 18) and later was released on a $30,000 surety bond, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said.
Skaggs was fired from the Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 6, one day after allegations came to light that he had inappropriate contact with at least two children and an internal investigation began, Bissell said.
He said Skaggs had been with the department since June 2016.
The two victims told Sheriff’s Office detectives that the alleged incidents occurred in De Soto, the probable-cause statement said.
One victim, a 13-year-old girl, said between July 4 and July 31, Skaggs allegedly lifted up her pants and attempted to look down them. Another victim, a 14-year-old girl, said on Sept. 3, Skaggs allegedly lifted her shirt and began touching her chest. She also said Skaggs’s cell phone light was on, so he may have taken pictures of her, the report said.
Skaggs denied touching the 13-year-old and told detectives the 14-year-old “could have been touched accidentally,” according to the probable-cause statement.
The alleged crimes occurred while Skaggs was off duty, the Sheriff's Office reported.