BELLE — Charges were filed in the 25th Circuit Court on Jan. 13 against Maries County Deputy Erican B. Sugg for an alleged assault of a 72-year-old man in November 2025 while he was still employed with the Belle Police Department. A summons has been issued and the arraignment is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 3 in front of Judge Kerry G. Rowden.

“I have instructed my office to go ahead and file charges on (Deputy) Erican Sugg about five minutes ago,” Maries County Prosecutor Anthony (Tony) Skouby said around noon on Tuesday afternoon.

Skouby received a request for charges against Sugg on Jan. 2 from Belle Marshal Jerry Coborn, including trespassing in the first degree and assault in the third degree, special victim, a class E felony. Missouri Case.net reports that the charges are assault in the third degree, special victim , a class D felony, and property damage in the second degree, a class D misdemeanor.

According to the probable cause statement, “On Nov. 29, 2025, at 3:55 p.m., (former Belle officer) Erican Sugg contacted (victim) in the 200 block of South Bland Avenue in Belle concerning a city ordinance violation of for an inoperable vehicle. Sugg told (the victim) he was in violation of the city of Belle Ordinance and requested his driver’s license information. During the nuisance investigation, there resulted in an arrest of (the victim).”

Furthermore, the officer’s body camera footage shows (the victim) refusing to give his information and closing the door on Sugg. When (the victim) opened the door for a third time to let his dog back in, Sugg opened the door further and reached inside the residence and grabbed (the victim) by his left wrist. An altercation ensued.

According to Sugg’s report of the incident, where he requested charges against the alleged victim, “I attempted to take (the victim) into custody, but because he held the interior door, I was unable to do so. I instructed Officer Henson to pull out his taser. (The victim) let go of the door and reached for Officer Henson’s taser. I reached over (the victim’s) shoulder and secured his right arm and assisted him to the ground. (The victim) was secured in handcuffs.”

Coborn notes in his probable cause statement that, “Sugg had no legal right to enter the residence. No fresh pursuit, no warrant, nothing illegal in plain view and was not invited in. Officer Sugg knowingly entered the home without permission or a warrant. By reaching in and grabbing (the victim), Officer Sugg assaulted him and with the threat of being tased, put a 72-year-old veteran in apprehension of serious harm.”

Belle Police Department’s Patrolman James Henson was still in training with Sugg on the day of the incident and filed a probable cause statement requesting charges against the victim for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and nuisances affecting health.

Henson said he and Sugg the victim was notified on Nov. 24, 2025, with a letter and copy of the city ordinance that he was in violation of nuisance ordinances regarding public health.

Henson and Sugg traveled to the victim’s residence again on Nov. 29, 2025, and “attempted to make contact.” The victim opened the door and Sugg informed him of the nuisance ordinance, and requested his driver’s license while explaining that (the victim) was being detained. The victim closed the door without commenting. Sugg and Henson waited for the property owner to retrieve his driver’s license. When he didn’t return, Sugg knocked again and requested a driver’s license. The homeowner again refused.

“At this time, Officer Sugg opened (the victim’s door) and gave verbal instruction for (the victim) to come outside the residence. The resident refused and attempted to close the door a second time. Sugg tried to gain control by securing (the victim’s) upper arm,” Henson reported. “This is when (the victim) started to become aggressive by holding on to the door and refusing to exit his residence.”

Henson said he released the door and reached for his taser, then grabbed (the victim’s) left wrist and assisted Sugg in assisting (the victim) to the ground so he could be placed in double locked wrist restraints.

Sugg informed (the victim) that he was under arrest for disorderly conduct and transported him to Maries County Sheriff’s Office without incident.

The victim’s statement confirmed the date of the Nov. 24 incident and his receipt of the nuisance violation.

“On Nov. 29, he returned, beat on my door and said it had been over five days,” the victim reported. “I asked if he had a warrant and he said no. I closed the door. He beat on the door again. I opened the door again and he asked for I.D. I asked if I was under arrest. He said no. I started to close the door again and I was rushed, pulled out of my home, and slammed to the ground and handcuffed, breaking my door in the process.”

The victim said Sugg hurt his arm and shoulder by pulling him out of his residence. He confirmed he was taken to Maries County Jail, photographed and released.

“Left me with three tickets and stranded in Vienna with no shoes, no coat and it was raining in 38 to 40 degrees outside,” the victim reported. “I believe most of Sugg’s actions were harassment and illegal. His aggressive handling of the whole incident was unprofessional and dangerous. I also believe he went against Belle’s policy and directives. He act’s like a bully and should no longer be employed by the city of Belle. His behavior and attitude are hurting the reputation of our city and teaching that police are to be feared instead of a helpful caretaker of our city and population.”

The victim asked for Sugg’s termination.

“I can fix my door. Parts are $39.95 plus tax, I would like some help with that,” the victim requested. “I hope you consider this. I then will not take any further action. I do want to press charges.”

Sugg resigned from his duties with the city of Belle on Dec. 23, 2025, offering to be a part-time and reserve officer as he was hired full-time for at the Maries County Sheriff’s Office.

The city declined his offer to work as a part-time or reserve employee, and Dec. 30 was his last day, according to Coborn.

The officer currently holds a commission in both Belle and Maries County according to Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).