Former MoDOT supervisor accused of using state cards for personal purchases

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — A former Missouri Department of Transportation supervisor is accused of using state-issued credit cards to make about $50,000 in personal purchases and stealing nearly $30,000 in equipment.

Artemus Jamal “AJ” Jackson, 37, of Florissant, was indicted Wednesday on four counts of mail fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The indictment alleges Jackson made about 248 personal purchases between December 2022 and July 2026 while supervising MoDOT’s maintenance facility in Normandy. The purchases allegedly included electronic equipment, cologne, watches, clothing, shoes and accessories for his personal ATV, motorcycle and pickup truck.

Prosecutors allege Jackson altered vendor invoices to make the purchases appear to be legitimate MoDOT expenses before approving and submitting them to his supervisor.

Jackson is also accused of stealing two newly purchased mowers and a trailer from the maintenance facility.

According to the indictment, Jackson staged a burglary after taking the mowers and hid them in a wooded area. When he became concerned the equipment would be found, he allegedly moved the mowers to the shoulder of Interstate 70 at Hanley Road and anonymously reported their location using a disguised voice.

Investigators said surveillance video later showed Jackson using his personal truck to move the missing trailer to a location where police recovered it.

Jackson began working for MoDOT in 2013 and became a maintenance supervisor in 2022. He was fired in July.

Each mail fraud charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The charges are allegations. Jackson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.