Trial for Former Texas County Sheriff, Deputy Underway

The bench trial of former Texas County Sheriff James Sigman and his former chief deputy, Jennifer Tomaszewski, has begun in Waynesville. The couple are being tried on several charges, including felony assault, felony first-degree robbery, felony first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony unlawful use of a weapon, felony harassment, misdemeanor misuse of official information by a public servant, and misdemeanor false impersonation charges.

If convicted, they could land in jail for the rest of their lives.

A report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Sigman allowed Tomaszewski to impersonate an officer on multiple occasions, threaten bodily harm to others, and physically abuse inmates. At one time, she was the jail supervisor. Authorities said Sigman was present for the incidents and allowed them.

Investigators claim the two have been romantically linked since Tomaszweski was hired back in 2016.

The trial was initially set to be heard by a jury but, at the request of defense attorney James Coatney, was changed to a bench trial and was also moved on a change of venue from Texas County to Pulaski County.

Don Trotter, the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney, was appointed as special prosecutor for the case. The defendants remain free on bond, pending the outcome of the trial.