The presiding judge in Warren County named a new interim prosecuting attorney. Missouri Governor Mike Parson must now make the final appointment to the position.
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Warren County will have a new interim prosecuting attorney beginning April 1.
Hannah Dunakey will take over the interim role from Keith Freie, who has served as the interim prosecuting attorney since former Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Kelly King resigned in October 2023 to take a role in the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
Dunakey, a Dutzow native, was appointed as an assistant prosecutor in the county in November.
“I am blessed to have roots in Warren County as a life-long resident,” Dunakey said in a statement. “Warren County people hold unique values, and as we experience growth in this county, I would uphold our values while bringing a fresh standard of efficiency and justice to the office.”
The appointment was announced by Jason Lamb, the presiding judge of the 12th judicial circuit in Warren County.
“I am confident that Hannah Dunakey possesses the skills, dedication and enthusiasm needed for this time of growth in Warren County,” Lamb said in a news release.
Lamb explained that under Missouri law a presiding judge may appoint an interim prosecuting attorney until such time as the governor makes an appointment to fill an unexpired term or until the position is filled by an election.
Dunakey was selected for the role from a pool of six applicants, all of whom have current or previous prosecution experience.
The other candidates were Paul Boyd, Scott Fox, Eric Kinnaw, Rodney McKinney, and Andrew Mead.
Local law enforcement, community leaders, judges, and crime victim advocates all gave input into the selection.
Dunakey will take over as interim prosecutor on April 1. Freie, who is also the Montgomery County prosecuting attorney, will remain in the position until March 31.
“I also want to thank Keith Freie and the special prosecutors from the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services for their service to Warren County during this time of transition,” Lamb said in the release. “Their work over the past several months has been invaluable, and I am grateful for their assistance.”
About the author: Jason Koch is the editor of The Warren County Record, and covers local news and government for the newspaper. He has won multiple awards from both the Indiana and Illinois APME and from the Illinois Press Association. He can be reached at 636-456-6397 or at jason@warrencountyrecord.com
