Benton County deputy sheriff who works with kids faces child molestation charges

SALINE COUNTY, Mo. - A Benton County deputy sheriff, who also serves as a D.A.R.E. officer, is in custody related to a child molestation case that officials fear has multiple victims.

Michael S. Cash, 47, is being held in the Saline County Jail on a $100,000 bond after being charged with two counts of statutory sodomy and one count of child molestation.

The Missouri Highway Patrol, which is assisting Benton County in the investigation, believes more victims and charges are possible against Cash.

Cash has been with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department for nearly 15 years, according to Sheriff Rick Fajen. Cash was suspended on September 5, when authorities notified Fajen of the investigation.

Cash has also served as a D.A.R.E. officer for roughly the same amount of time, according to Benton County R-9 School District Superintendant Dr. James Haley.

“He was involved with all the kids in the county at one point or another by virtue of his work in the schools,” Haley said.

Haley said he is surprised at the allegation and that Cash has never had a complaint against him.

Sheriff Fajen confirmed there have never been any complaints filed on Cash and his treatment of juveniles from parents or the schools at which he worked.

Fajen also said he does not believe that the charges are tied to the D.A.R.E program or his department.

The Highway Patrol’s Drug and Crime Control division has already spent two weeks on the investigation.

Anyone with knowledge of Cash's involvement in criminal activity is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 816-622-0800.