ST. LOUIS—A St. Louis Sheriff's Deputy has been charged after police say he had sexual relations with a detainee while on the job at the St. Louis City Justice Center.

James Short, 26, faces two charges of Sexual Conduct in the course of public duty. Court documents state that the incident happened on January 8 while Short working as a deputy sheriff in the Saint Louis City Justice Center.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police say Short turned himself in at police headquarters related to an ongoing sex crimes investigation involving a detainee.

A judge ordered Short to have no contact with the victim. The FBI is investigating the sexual assault claim. 

The deputy Corrections Commissioner filed suit against Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, accusing him of violating her civil rights when he handcuffed her while trying to interview the detainee's allegation.

Short is also accused of a March 2024 incident resulted in him being charged with endangering the welfare of a child in the second degree by failing to secure a loaded firearm in a home where a minor was present. The 25-month-old family member suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen at Short’s home while Short was outside, according to court record.