Bailey had been with the Gallatin Police department for only one year.
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In a stunning development for this community, a local law enforcement officer has been charged with over 30 crimes of a sexual nature involving five teenage female victims over an 11-month period.
Gallatin Police Officer Michael Bailey, 35, has been charged with 16 felony counts of statutory sodomy, 12 felony counts of statutory rape, five counts of misdemeanor assault, one misdemeanor count of supplying liquor to a minor, two misdemeanor counts of sexual misconduct, and one misdemeanor count of child molestation.
The alleged crimes, which involve five female victims under the age of 17, took place from October, 2002, up until Aug. 7, 2003. The crimes occurred at the city pool, a shooting range, the city park, and at Officer Bailey’s home in Gallatin. On numerous occasions, the sexual encounters occurred while Officer Bailey was on duty.
Allegations against Bailey were reported Aug. 7 to Prosecuting Attorney Julia Filley, who advised contacting the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s investigation began on Aug. 8.
Bailey was arrested Aug. 12 by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged Aug. 13 with 7 felony counts of statutory rape and 3 felony counts of statutory sodomy, along with 8 misdemeanor charges. On Aug. 14, two more charges were filed, one felony statutory rape and one felony statutory sodomy. More charges were filed Aug. 18 which included four additional felony charges of statutory rape and 12 additional felony charges of statutory sodomy.
Each felony charge carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison, one year in county jail and a $5,000 fine.
Bailey appeared in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court on Aug. 18 with a public defender for arraignment on the charges which were filed on Aug. 14 and Aug. 18. He wore a bulletproof vest, and visitors to the courthouse were required to pass by a metal detector. Arraignment for the initial charges was conducted on Aug. 13.
Bailey is currently being held at Ray County Security Housing. Bond has been denied. In the probable cause statements, Chief Deputy Ben Becerra states that he believes the “defendant is a danger and threat because he preys upon young females and continues to do so.”
Bailey was sworn in as a Gallatin police officer on Aug. 5, 2002. He had received his Class A Peace Officer certification from Missouri Western State College Police Academy in St. Joseph.
Bailey was born and raised in St. Joseph. He was previously as a mechanic and computer technician before coming to Gallatin. He also had served as a damage controlman third class in the Navy, and served two tours of duty in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during active duty from 1988-1992.
Bailey listed scouting, Little League coaching and bow hunting as his hobbies in the introductory article which ran in this newspaper on Aug. 14, 2002. He served as Gallatin’s baseball coordinator for the recent 2003 season. He and his wife, Barbara, have two children. His wife resigned Friday from her job as the Gallatin City Pool Manager.
According to Gallatin Police Chief James Wycoff, Bailey has been suspended with pay. The department is conducting an internal investigation. Bailey had not been trained to conduct DARE sessions, but he was heavily involved in the Teen Beat program, which has been spearheaded by the Gallatin Police Department.
Bailey’s preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. in Daviess County Associate Circuit Court.
The case has received widespread coverage in the media, including television and radio news reports broadcast from Kansas City and St. Joseph as well as daily newspaper coverage.