ST. LOUIS – Embattled St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery was indicted on a federal charge Thursday for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, local affiliate KTVI has learned.

The new charge stems from a situation connected with Tammy Ross, a former jail administrator detained by the sheriff’s office when the sheriff could not get access to a rape victim he sought for an interview.

Exclusive video from KTVI attached above shows Montgomery and his attorney Justin Gelfand walking into the Thomas Eagleton United States Courthouse on Thursday ahead of the federal indictment.

On Thursday, Montgomery pleaded not guilty to the count of deprivation of rights under color of law. He was released from a court hearing on a recognizance bond.

The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of 12 months in prison with a conviction. It is unrelated from the Missouri Attorney General’s quo warranto case in an effort to remove Montgomery from office.

Over the last several months, KTVI has reported on allegations of nepotism, retaliation, misconduct and misuse of power tied to Sheriff Montgomery.

The ongoing quo warranto petition, unrelated to the federal charge, has outlined allegations against Montgomery during his time as sheriff, including claims of financial mismanagement, along with being accused of rolling golden dice to make decisions and using a deputy to pick up his kids from school, along with the detainment of Ross. Deposition hearings are scheduled Thursday over the quo warranto case at the Carnahan Courthouse.

The federal charge comes with several considerations as outlined in federal court Thursday.

First, Gelfand asked if Montgomery could keep a gun he uses while on duty as sheriff. Under Montgomery’s federal indictment, normally, one would be prohibited from having a weapon. A judge overruled this request and said Montgomery could not have a gun. Montgomery also agreed to give up guns at his home.

The judge also pointed out that Sheriff Montgomery told pre-trial services that he uses marijuana, and the judge warned that itself could be a federal offense to be under the influence of marijuana and in possession of a firearm.

Additionally, the judge pointed out that this was a “very unusual” case and the charge carries a warning that Montgomery must not tamper with witnesses, which could be as simple as not interacting with witnesses connected with the indictment.

The judge said, “I’m not telling you you have to quit this job, but you need to think this over and think about who you are interacting with in your job, talk to your attorney about it, and make sure it doesn’t happen, because it could immediately get you into custody.”

Below is the federal indictment unsealed Thursday over Montgomery’s charge:

Montgomery has served as the St. Louis City Sheriff since January, taking over for predecessor Vernon Betts after narrowly defeating him in an election bid last year.