Former Plattsburg officer pleaded ‘not guilty’ to obscene, indecent commercial messaging charge

ANDREW COUNTY, Mo. (KQTV) -- A former Plattsburg Police officer pleaded "not guilty" to a charge of making obscene or indecent commercial messages about two children on a commercial sex-chatline app.

Steve O. McDermit appeared in court Monday for his initial appearance, where he made his plea.

According to a probable cause statement, McDermit allegedly used a TextNow number to leave four messages on a commercial sex-chatline app on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The statement said two messages were left at 12:54 a.m. and two more at 2:59 a.m. The messages allegedly described sexual acts involving a six-month-old girl and a one-year-old girl.

The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office arrested McDermit Thursday, Oct. 15.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the City of Plattsburg said it terminated McDermit's employment with the city's police department. The city said it had no further comment regarding his termination.

McDermit is scheduled to have a counsel status hearing at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Andrew County.