Area firefighter suspended over harassment charge

BIEHLE, Mo. -- A local firefighter has been suspended after allegedly photographing a nude guest in his home, then threatening to post the photographs on the Internet.

Jackson city firefighter Mark Owens, who is also a volunteer firefighter in Biehle, is accused of taking naked photographs of a woman who was a guest in his home.

He's charged with harassment by mail.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf said the woman was staying with Owens while she was training to be a firefighter in Biehle.

Apparently Owens thought she took some firefighting equipment with her and wanted it back, Schaaf said.

He mailed some photographs to her, threatening to post them on the Internet if she didn't return the equipment, Schaaf said.

Jackson fire chief Brad Golden said the firefighter has been suspended pending review by the Jackson city attorney.