A Glasgow alderman will go to trial over a felony assault charge and three misdemeanors stemming from an incident during a traffic stop on Dec. 31, 2025, in Morgan County. Jeffrey Thomas Parks, 41, faces charges of third-degree assault, a Class D felony; fourth-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor; interfering with a first responder, a Class B misdemeanor; and resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty following a preliminary hearing on June 30 in Versailles. He was bound over to Morgan County Circuit Court, where he will face a jury trial in April of next year.

Authorities say Parks interfered with a traffic stop and later injured two detention officers during a violent struggle at the Morgan County jail on New Year’s Eve.

Parks is a Central Ward Alderman on the Glasgow city council. He was elected to a second term in April after running unopposed. He faces a four-day trial in Morgan County starting Tuesday, April 20, 2027.

Parks’s attorney, Adam Dowling, of Columbia, filed a motion for change of venue on Wednesday, July 15, and a motion for a change of judge on Friday, July 17. A motion hearing has been scheduled for Monday, September 14, in Versailles, before Judge Kenneth Michael Hayden. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 11, 2027.

A probable cause statement filed by Sergeant Jared J. Allen of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department about the Dec. 31 incident stated that the car in which Parks was riding was pulled over after Sgt. Allen observed multiple centerline violations and inconsistent speed variations of greater than 10 miles per hour over and under the posted speed limit in Gravois Mills, Mo. Parks, who was in the front passenger seat, was “visibly intoxicated” and repeatedly interfered with the stop and refused to provide identification despite multiple directives.

“After more than a half dozen directives to Parks were ignored, I recognized that his interference was not going to cease,” the statement read. Sgt. Allen wrote that he then warned Parks that he would be arrested if he continued.

Once under arrest, Parks allegedly resisted. “Parks continued to berate me with his combative and slurred speech, becoming increasingly defiant. Although handcuffed, Parks began to become physically aggressive, charging toward me and pushing me. He then physically fought my attempts to place him in my patrol vehicle for several minutes,” Sgt. Allen wrote in the probable cause statement.

“While being transported to the Morgan County Adult Detention facility Parks continued his verbal berating, which included several threats to physically assault me as soon as the ‘cuffs come off,’” the report stated. 

At the Morgan County Jail, Parks allegedly remained combative and had to be physically restrained multiple times. The criminal complaint, filed with the court by Morgan County Prosecutor Dustin G. Dunklee, alleges Parks knowingly caused physical injury to two corrections officers by “fighting and/or kicking” them.

“Parks remained in the facility entrance for several hours with Detention Officers as his behavior persisted and he refused to enter the body scanner or comply with any directions which would facilitate his entry into the facility and booking,” Sgt. Allen wrote.

Parks is no stranger to law enforcement, having been charged 10 times in Howard and Chariton counties for offenses including unlawful use of a weapon, assault, trespassing, harassment, aggravated stalking, and violating an order of protection. He was never convicted.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve had these charges and beat them,” Parks allegedly stated during the arrest.

On Jan. 1, Parks posted a $25,000 surety bond and was released. Bond conditions require Parks to submit to drug and alcohol testing upon request.

The range of punishment for the felony assault charge includes one to seven years in prison, a year in jail, and up to a $10,000 fine. The Class A misdemeanors each carry a sentence of up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. The Class B misdemeanor carries a 6-month jail sentence and a $1,000 fine. Each charge could result in both fines and jail or prison terms.