UPDATED: Monday, 2:18 p.m.
An Ark City police sargent has been charged by the Cowley County Attorney’s Office with sexual battery of a 16-year-old, according to a report published by the Cowley CourierTraveler Friday night.
The paper says a Jan. 31 court filing alleges Jeremy Samson, on or between May 2, 2022 and Nov. 8, 2023, touched without consent a person who was 16 years or older with the intent of sexual arousal or satisfaction.
The alleged victim is not named in the complaint, but it states the person was born in 2006, the paper said.
If found guilty, Samson, 46, faces a maximum penalty of one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Cowley County Attorney Larry Schwartz confirmed the allegations to Cowley Post Saturday, but Monday added Samson’s first court appearance was Feb. 26 via Zoom.
Samson was ordered to appear at the sheriff’s office in Winfield for fingerprinting, according to a summons in court records cited by the CourierTraveler, and to avoid contact with the witnesses named on the complaint and to remain outside a two-block radius of a certain address in Ark City.
His arraignment is scheduled for April 30 at 9 a.m. Schwartz said Samson will again appear via Zoom.
Witnesses cited included a high school counselor, Cowley County Undersheriff Christina McDonald, and ACPD Lt. Jason Leigleiter.
The City Clerk’s office told the CourierTraveler Samson began his employment as a patrol officer on Dec.13, 2010. He was promoted to sergeant in November 2022. His current salary is $30.14 per hour.
Samson has served as a student resource officer for Ark City High School and with the department’s D.A.R.E program.
He has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Cowley Post filed an open records request with the City of Ark City Monday regarding when Samson was placed on paid administrative leave. The city fulfilled that request Monday afternoon and Samson was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 31 when the complaint was filed in court.
