Witnesses recant story against Chaffee officer; charges dropped

Charges of patronizing prostitution against a former Chaffee police officer were dropped Wednesday after witnesses recanted their testimony, said Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd.

Boyd said Daniel Ayers, 31, of Cape Girardeau, was scheduled to appear in Scott County court Wednesday for arraignment on four misdemeanor counts.

Boyd said he received a statement from the two witnesses, April Mayberry, 19, and Jessica Smiley, 21, recanting their statements to police that in February Ayers offered them cigarettes and cash if they would expose themselves to him or carry out sexual acts while he watched.

Ayers, who maintained his innocence, was out on a $1,500 bond. Neither he nor his Sikeston, Mo., attorney, James McClellan, could be reached for comment.