Todd Mahn Charged With Rape and Sodomy: Arrest, Bond, and Council Seat

De Soto, Missouri city council member Daniel “Todd” Mahn faces felony rape and sodomy charges filed on January 22, 2026, over an alleged assault at his home in October 2024. A special prosecutor charged him with either first- or second-degree rape and either first- or second-degree sodomy, and he was released from the Jefferson County Jail on January 27, 2026, after posting a $100,000 cash-only bond.¹²

Under Missouri law, first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy are unclassified felonies punishable by five years to life in prison. The second-degree versions are class D felonies carrying up to seven years.¹ Which degree is ultimately pursued will be decided as the case moves through Jefferson County Circuit Court.

What the Probable Cause Statement Alleges

The alleged incident took place on the evening of October 18, 2024, at Mahn’s De Soto home. According to the probable cause statement, the woman had been drinking whiskey at the residence and stepped away for about 45 minutes. When she came back her glass appeared full, and Mahn told her he had added another ice cube. She reported that she then blacked out and became incapacitated, and alleges Mahn raped and sodomized her.²

She said she woke around 2 a.m. in a dark room in Mahn’s bed, did not remember driving home, and woke again at 6 a.m. in her own bed, in pain. A friend took her to a hospital, where medical records documented bruises on her wrists, arms, legs, ankles, knees, and vaginal area.²

Investigators executed a search warrant at Mahn’s residence on October 22, 2024, and seized evidence that, according to the probable cause statement, corroborated the accuser’s account.²

Mahn’s Denial

Mahn denies the allegations. On November 13, 2024, his attorney sent investigators a letter stating that the sexual contact was consensual. After charges were filed, his defense attorneys said Mahn had “consistently and unequivocally denied the allegations” and had voluntarily submitted to a polygraph examination, which he reportedly passed.²

How the Case Reached Charges

The De Soto Police Department took the initial report on October 19, 2024, the day after the alleged incident. Police Chief Jeff McCreary said he immediately asked the Missouri Highway Patrol to take over the investigation, a step commonly taken when allegations involve a public official.³

On February 13, 2025, Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Trisha Stefanski requested that a special prosecutor be appointed. The case went to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, where assistant prosecutor Silas Karacal handled it and eventually filed the charges nearly a year later.¹

Arrest, Bond, and Court Schedule

An arrest warrant was issued on January 23, 2026. Mahn turned himself in at the Jefferson County Jail on the morning of January 27 and was released after posting a $100,000 cash-only bond. He is represented by attorneys William Goldstein and Scott Rosenblum, a prominent St. Louis-area criminal defense lawyer who entered his appearance on January 27, 2026. Mahn’s first court appearance was scheduled for February 6, 2026, before Division 1 Circuit Court Judge Joseph Rathert.²

Effect on His Council Seat

Mahn has served on the De Soto City Council since 2023 and was elevated to mayor pro tem in November 2025. When the charges were filed, City Manager Todd Melkus said the city had “no comment about the charges filed against Mahn.” As of the charging date, Mahn had not resigned and had not been removed or suspended from the council.²

Voters decided the seat separately. Mahn ran for re-election in the April 7, 2026, municipal election and finished last among four candidates with 136 votes, or 8.8 percent. Mike Bone and Autumn Blanchard each received 594 votes and won the two available seats; Tonia Pierce Schmitt finished third with 221 votes.⁴

1
KFMO. De Soto City Council Member Charged in Jefferson County With Rape, Sodomy
2
My Leader Paper. Todd Mahn of De Soto Charged With Rape, Sodomy
3
My Leader Paper. Authorities Confirm De Soto Councilman Todd Mahn Being Investigated
4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jefferson County Election Results