Fisk council person ordered to stop city activities because of felony conviction

A Fisk city council person has been ordered by a Butler County court to immediately stop any activity on behalf of the city.

Presiding Judge Michael Pritchett issued the order Monday against Raymond Stewart Jr., who is accused of seeking office with a previous felony conviction related to the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Stewart is immediately “enjoined from engaging in any activity, or exercising any authority as city councilman for the city of Fisk, Missouri, subject to further order of (the) court,” according to documents filed at the Butler County Courthouse.

The order comes after prosecutor Kacey Proctor issued a petition to the court stating Stewart has a previous felony conviction. Federal law prohibits anyone with a felony conviction from holding elected office.

Stewart was elected to the Fisk Ward 2 seat in April in an uncontested election.

He was convicted in 2004 of conspiracy to distribute pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, court documents state. Stewart was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Proctor’s petition asks that Stewart be removed from office and for all costs and relief deemed appropriate by the court to be issued.