Former Chaffee officer hopes to return to department

The former Chaffee police officer cleared of charges of patronizing prostitution Wednesday said the ordeal has left his family financially strapped but has strengthened their love and commitment to each other.

"We had to endure a lot of stress, heartache and financial problems," Daniel Ayers said Friday. "My family is tight with each other, and we're going strong."

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd said he dropped the charges against Ayers, 31, of Cape Girardeau, after witnesses recanted their testimony.

The father of three was charged with four misdemeanor counts of patronizing prostitution in February after two Chaffee women told police he offered them cigarettes and cash if they would expose themselves to him or carry out sexual acts while he watched.

Ayers maintained his innocence and maintained the charges were an attempt by police to keep him from exposing corruption within the Chaffee Police Department, where he worked as an officer for over a year before being fired in January.

Ayers said it took him over two months to find a job after the charges were publicized in February. He works today hanging Sheetrock but hopes to return to the Chaffee Police Department.

"The reason I want to go back is that if there is corruption there, I want to help clean things up," he said.

For more details, check back at www.semissourian.com or read Saturday's Southeast Missourian.