ST. LOUIS – Embattled St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery says he’s not going anywhere, defying a demand from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to resign by noon Wednesday or face removal proceedings.

Bailey is scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. to detail his next steps against Sheriff Montgomery if he does not resign by his deadline.

In a letter Tuesday formally asking for the sheriff’s resignation, Bailey says that throughout Montgomery’s tenure, his office has been repeatedly accused of financial mismanagement, workplace misconduct, and abuse of authority, as well as a failure to perform his duties as sheriff.

Over the last few months, Montgomery has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including being accused of rolling golden dice to make decisions, ordering the handcuffing of a jail official, and using a deputy to pick up his kids from school.

Bailey says he will use the legal proceeding of a writ of quo warranto to remove Montgomery if he doesn’t resign. Bailey previously used the same term to threaten the removal of former St. Louis City Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner if she did not resign. Gardner eventually stepped down.

The sheriff said Bailey’s ultimatum is “Not based on proven facts, not based on any court ruling, but on what’s been described as widely published and disturbing allegations” during a Tuesday news conference.

“I was elected by the people of the City of St. Louis to serve as their sheriff, and I intend to honor that commitment,” the sheriff said.

Bailey delivered his ultimatum around noon on Tuesday via the social media platform X. It reads:

THE PEOPLE OF STL HAVE ENDURED ENOUGH

I am giving St. Louis Sheriff Montgomery until noon tomorrow to resign or face immediate removal proceedings.

We must restore the rule of law in St. Louis. Sheriff Montgomery has vacated his duties and therefore must vacate his office.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, via X

“I welcome any lawful investigation or inquiry rooted in truth, but I will not stand by while this office is attacked in the press with false claims and reckless accusations,” Montgomery said.

The sheriff defended his record, citing raises in deputy pay and having a fully staffed department for the first time in decades, adding that he’s invested more in the office than anyone else in the past quarter-century.

At the start of the news conference, Montgomery addressed the difficulties of the office since his election in November 2024. He narrowly defeated incumbent Vernon Betts in the Democratic primary that August.

“I have been called many names. Starting with the former sheriff, who called me a ‘monkey’ on his last day in office, urging local media outlets to pay close attention in the future, and promising to make my term as hard as possible to carry out,” Montgomery said.

Last month, the Holy Joe Society, a nonprofit organization focused on government transparency, sent a letter to St. Louis and Missouri officials calling for the removal of Montgomery.

The letter alleged Montgomery was willfully neglecting his duties to serve as sheriff. It claims Montgomery used government vehicles and employees of his office during work hours to transport his children to and from school, accuses Montgomery of forcing a deputy to roll dice to determine whether that deputy would be fired, and notes he refused to assign sufficient deputies for transporting detainees in need of medical care.

“I know that progress makes some people uncomfortable, and I understand that; that comes with the leadership,” the sheriff said. “But let’s be very clear, I have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. And I will not be removed from this office. I will not run from this office. I will continue to serve the people of this city, and I will continue to do my duties as the sheriff and protecting the courts. Thank you.”

Montgomery walked back into his office as reporters shouted questions and asked why he wouldn’t answer them.

Judge David Mason (ret.), Montgomery’s attorney, passed out documents in response to some of the issues raised by AG Bailey.

Mason said medical transport of incarcerated persons in the city is the responsibility of the St. Louis Justice Center, which falls under the purview of the city’s Department of Public Safety.

“The law says the party that has custody of any prisoners has the legal, constitutional responsibility—under the Eighth Amendment—to provide adequate and timely medical care. That includes transporting them so they can get the medical care,” he said.

Judge Mason said he respects and likes the attorney general but believes any legal inquiry would prove fruitless.

“Allegations and things made in newspapers are meaningless in court. In fact, the allegations that many of you have reported will never hit the floor in the courtroom. Never,” Mason said. “You must have proof – who said it, who saw it, who has personal and direct knowledge, where’s the paperwork? And everybody’s going to be subject to cross-examination, that I can assure you.”

The judge said the sheriff’s office has offered to transport inmates or detainees before, as staffing allows, and would welcome the opportunity to do so again.

Mason said he’ll do as much as he can to represent his client but hopes the St. Louis City Counselor’s Office can handle the legal representation. He told the assembled reporters that the sheriff should not and will not litigate the matter with the Missouri Attorney General in the media.