BELLE — An initial appearance was held Feb. 3 for former Belle and Maries County officer Erican Sugg in Judge Kerry G. Rowden’s 25th Judicial Circuit in Maries County.

Sugg was scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m., however his case was called earlier in the docket when The Advocate reporter was not present.

According to court records, Sugg appeared before the court and was provided copies of the criminal complaint, the probable cause statement and documentation indicating he was denied representation by a Missouri State Public Defender.

Rowden recused himself from the case during the initial appearance.

Court documents filed Feb. 2 show Sugg was denied public defender services after a determination that he does not meet the state’s indigency requirements. The denial letter states the Missouri State Public Defender Commission determined Sugg has “sufficient financial means available to you to afford private counsel” in the case. The letter further notes it is Sugg’s responsibility to retain private counsel for his next court appearance.

The document advises that if Sugg disagrees with the denial, he may appeal the decision by completing an appeal form and requesting the court hold an indigency hearing.

The case is filed as 26MS-CR00011 in Maries County Circuit Court. Further court proceedings are pending.