RIVERVIEW, MO. – The mayor of Riverview, Mo., was the person charged Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, with multiple sex crimes by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving minors that occurred between 2016 and 2026.
The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are handling this investigation.
Mike Cornell, 39, of the 9500 block of West Avenue in St. Louis, faces the following charges:
- Four counts of Statutory Sodomy 2nd Degree
- Three counts of Sodomy or Attempted Sodomy 1st Degree
- One count of Harassment 1st Degree
- One count of Possession of Child Pornography – One Film/Videotape
Cornell is being held on a $1 million, cash-only, no 10% bond.
Cornell previously served as a Riverview trustee and then became chairman in 2023. He has served as Riverview mayor for more than a year.
Law enforcement searched the mayor’s home about two weeks ago in an investigation prior to the charges being issued.
If anyone believes they may have been a victim of Cornell, they are encouraged
For a related Riverbender.com story on the charges, click here.
Please note that charges are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
