Judge Recuses Himself in Former Deputy’s Case

On his own Motion, Judge Steven Privette recused himself from hearing the criminal charges against Rob Pilkington. Pilkington is a former Howell County Sheriff’s Deputy and Student Resource Officer for South Fork Elementary School who is facing a sex crime charge in which the victim was under the age of 14.
Judge Privette’s recusal means the choice of judge will be made by the Missouri Supreme Court. The request for a transfer of judge was sent January 28. A change of judge does not necessarily mean a change of venue at this point in the process, confirms a court clerk.
Following an investigation by Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Pilkington was arrested by Missouri State Highway Patrol at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, November 25, 2021. He posted a $100,000 bond on December 2, 2021.
On January 19, a grand jury returned an indictment of one count of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy, deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years of age.
There are no hearings or appearances scheduled on the matter at this time.