A Jefferson County jury found former Pevely Police Officer Steven Roth not guilty of property damage stemming from an incident last year when he was directing traffic in Pevely, according to court documents.
Roth had been charged with first-degree property damage, a class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison, according to court records.
Roth’s lawyer, Matthew Brown, said Roth feels vindicated following the jury’s decision.
“He stood strong during the whole process,” said Brown, who, along with attorney Andrew Russek, represented Roth. Both attorneys are with the Combs Waterkotte law firm.
The case was prosecuted by assistant prosecuting attorney Maren Biermann. The trial was held Oct. 28 before Judge Vic Melenbrink.
According to the case’s probable-cause statement, on Aug. 3, 2024, Roth was assigned to traffic duty at the intersection of Commercial Boulevard and Herky Horine Road. He was directing drivers to turn right onto Commercial Boulevard.
The driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado followed Roth’s direction, but when he drove to the end of traffic cones on the road, he made a U-turn and started driving north on Commercial Boulevard. Roth then allegedly used his baton to strike the vehicle, the report said.
Roth allegedly damaged the driver’s side mirror of the pickup. The approximate cost to repair the damage was more than $750, according to the report.
Brown said that from the outset, Roth and his legal team maintained that his actions were a lawful and necessary part of his duties as a police officer, taken to protect public safety.
“From day one, we asked the court and the jury to see this situation through Officer Roth’s perspective,” Brown said. “This was not an act of aggression but a measured response aimed at protecting the community. It is unfortunate that an officer dedicated to public safety was criminally charged for doing his job, but we are gratified that the jury recognized his actions for what they were — an attempt to keep the citizens of Pevely and Jefferson County safe.”
According to a story in the Feb. 6, 2025 Leader, Roth was fired by the city of Pevely on Aug. 22, 2024.
“He found work outside of being a police officer,” Brown said in the phone interview.