Missouri state representative Anthony Ealy Jr was arrested less than a day after winning re-election, following allegations that he trespassed at an apartment complex and threatened a man.
The 32-year-old Democrat was detained in Jefferson City on Wednesday night after police were called to reports of a disturbance involving a woman’s apartment complex shortly before midnight.
Multiple witnesses said Ealy had been shouting and causing “chaos” in the street and outside nearby businesses. Police said he appeared to be experiencing a panic attack or mental health episode.
According to the police report, Ealy allegedly threatened the woman’s husband while referring to a gun, saying: “I’m going to kill you.” He is facing charges of fourth-degree assault and disturbing the peace.
A witness said the episode had begun earlier when Ealy allegedly disrupted a funeral service. The witness described the incident as “quite the scene” and said it had greatly upset the grieving family.
“It was definitely a scene; it was pretty chaotic,” the witness said, adding that they hoped the lawmaker would resign.
Ealy had celebrated his election victory on social media before his arrest, posting a selfie with the caption: “Reelect WE WON.” He had secured 68 per cent of the vote in Jackson County’s District 36.
He was first elected to the Missouri legislature in 2022, becoming the youngest representative in the district’s history.
However, Ealy was removed from all his committee assignments in spring 2025 by House Democratic minority leader Ashley Aune. She said at the time that the decision was intended to allow him to focus on personal matters.
The leader’s chief of staff said there were no plans to restore Ealy’s committee assignments for the 2027 legislative session. Democratic leaders had reportedly urged him not to seek re-election and to allow another candidate to take his seat.
Ealy remains in custody at Cole County Jail.
