Case Against Oldham Closed Because of ‘Insufficient Evidence’

The case against former First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham has been closed, due to insufficient evidence, according to the Pettis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Detective Caleb Jennings with the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office had originally requested 2nd degree harassment charges against Oldham after it was learned that a 16-year-old female identified as “AB” reported to the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office that she had been receiving sexually inappropriate Snapchat messages from her boss, Tom Oldham, while employed at Primrose Retirement Community of Sedalia, 3751 West 10th Street.

AB reported the situation to the sheriff’s office on April 23.

She provided screen shots of messages from Oldham containing statements such as, “Those lips,” “Those shorts,” “You gonna get me in trouble,” “Make me have bad thoughts,” and “Gonna have to control myself around you.” AB told investigators that  that the unwanted advances from Oldham caused her emotional distress and ultimately led her to resign from her job at Primrose.

Oldham immediately resigned from the City Council after the allegations came to light.

Oldham had won reelection to Council on April 8, beating challenger Albert Reine, Jr., by 76 votes.

Tom Oldham garnered 312 votes in the First Ward to 236 votes for challenger Albert Reine, Jr., or roughly 56% to 42%.

Oldham was ultimately replaced on the Council by Cheryl Ames.

On May 1, CASA (Citizens Against Spouse Abuse) posted on Facebook about removing Oldham from its CASA Board of Directors.

Detectives obtained search warrants for Oldham’s phone and both parties’ Snapchat accounts. Oldham’s phone was seized and analyzed, revealing deleted data but confirming the screenshots AB provided.

Forensic review of his device and accounts showed messages gradually shifting from work-related to personal, including sexually-charged exchanges. Investigators also noted Oldham’s internet searches included terms suggestive of pornographic material, including “midget”, “young,” “teen,” and anime-related sexual content.

City-issued devices belonging to Oldham in his role as a Sedalia City Councilman were also collected and examined. A forensic review of an iPhone 15 and iPad issued by the City of Sedalia did not reveal evidence of harassment or criminal activity. However, a search for “committed adultery in his heart” on February 23, 2025, was noted.

During an interview on June 12, 2025, Oldham admitted to inappropriate communication with AB, describing it as a “lapse in judgment.” He explained that from February to April, his interactions with AB became more frequent, despite her being directed to communicate with her immediate supervisor. He noted that workplace rumors about AB’s group facing termination led to more direct contact.

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Oldham recalled one incident where AB came to his office regarding timecard issues and, at the end of their meeting, stated she was going to get drunk and “freaky” while adjusting her shirt and giggling. Oldham sent AB a friend request on Snapchat the following day. Oldham identified this as the point where flirtation between them began.

On July 31, 2025, the Pettis County Prosecutor’s Office declined to issue any charges, citing “insufficient evidence.”

On August 28, 2025, Oldham’s seized phone was returned to him following the closure of the case.