March 20th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department is alerting residents to the return of a phone scam involving false claims of missed jury duty.
According to authorities, scammers are contacting individuals while pretending to be deputies with the sheriff’s department, judges, or court staff. During these calls, they claim the person failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for their arrest.
St. Francois County Sheriff Jeff Crites says the department has received a large number of calls from concerned residents about the scam.
The scammers then attempt to pressure victims into paying a fine immediately over the phone to avoid arrest.
Officials emphasize that these claims are completely false. The sheriff’s department will never call individuals to inform them of a warrant or request payment over the phone. Likewise, courts do not contact people by phone, text message, or email regarding missed jury duty or fines.
Authorities say these scams often rely on fear and urgency to trick victims into acting quickly without verifying the information.
Residents who receive such calls are urged to hang up immediately and avoid sharing any personal or financial information. Anyone with concerns can contact the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department directly using official channels.