CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — A high-profile case of a Lake of the Ozarks area elected official charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor looks like it will end with a plea bargain.
Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton was charged in March 2025 after allegedly taking down a FLOCK license plate reader camera that was installed by the State of Missouri along Highway 54 within Camden County. The county had previously passed an ordinance banning such cameras.
Skelton was charged with:
• Felony Stealing (Class D Felony)
• Tampering with Utility Service (Class D Felony)
• Obstructing Government Operations (Class B Misdemeanor)
Skelton pleaded Not Guilty in March 2025 after he was charged. Then, in June, he filed a Motion to Dismiss the case, arguing three things:
1) He was entitled to official immunity for his official acts as commissioner,
2) He had a claim of right to take down the Flock camera (due to a county ordinance that banned them), and
3) He did not intend to deprive Flock of its camera permanently (to constitute stealing).
Special Prosecutor Nicholas Komoroski responded:
1) Official immunity only applies to public officials sued in their individual capacities for alleged acts of negligence committed during the course of their official duties. He argued this was not a civil suit nor was it an act of negligence.
2 & 3) The "Claim of Right" and "Intent" questions should be left to a jury.
But on Aug. 18, the prosecution requested a continuance (delay) in the proceedings, informing judge Aaron Martin that Skelton had come to a plea agreement. The continuance was requested because there were certain pre-plea conditions that Skelton had to meet.
Skelton confirmed to LakeExpo that he had come to a plea agreement but said he could not share details until after the plea was officially signed.
His Plea Hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Camden County court.
