Mississippi County coroner resigns, faces felony charges

Standard Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- John Allen McMikle has resigned as coroner for Mississippi County.

Mississippi County commissioners reviewed the letter from McMikle announcing his resignation effective immediately "due to health reasons" during Thursday's county commission meeting.

McMikle recommended the appointment of his deputy coroner, Anthony Moody of Charleston, as his replacement.

The letter will be faxed to the governor's office, since the governor must accept the resignation and appoint a replacement.

County officials noted that since statutes say there can be no deputy coroner without a coroner, the sheriff will have to serve as coroner until a new one is appointed.

McMikle is also set to reappear Feb. 26 before Judge Fred Copeland in the New Madrid County Circuit Court on felony stealing charges.

McMikle and his wife, Carla Sue McMikle, were charged Aug. 2 in connection with the theft of baseball cards over a three-month period.

Merchandise worth at least $750 was taken from the Wal-Mart and Kmart stores on South Main in Sikeston from May 1 to Aug. 1, according to the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department.