HERRIMAN — Herriman City Councilman Milton "Mick" Shannon resigned Thursday after criminal charges were filed against him in 3rd District Court.
The 61-year-old co-founder of the Children's Miracle Network will appear in a West Jordan courtroom Friday to face a charge of criminal mischief, a second-degree felony.
On Feb. 11, a Herriman man confronted Shannon about slashing the tires on his truck and trailer and scratching all four sides of his truck. Shannon replied, "That's what you get for (expletive deleted) my wife and (expletive deleted) with my family," according to the charges.
Karen Shannon said her husband accused her of an affair with the Herriman man and she moved out on Feb. 6. The couple is currently in divorce proceedings.
A warrant was filed for Shannon's arrest, but he told the Deseret News it will be withdrawn in the morning. "I fully expect to be cleared of any wrongdoing as this case progresses, and I expect for this case to be dismissed," he said.
Although he said the accusations are false, Shannon decided to resign because "there's a lot going on in the city, they need to stay focused, and I don't want to be any kind of distraction."
"Recent personal challenges compromise my ability to serve the city of Herriman in the councilman role," Shannon wrote in his resignation letter sent to Herriman Mayor Josh Mills. Shannon said he felt it was in the best interest of the city that he resign.
Mills said, "As a council, we respect Mick's decision to resign and wish him luck in his future endeavors."
Shannon started his post in January following an ugly campaign season. Less than two weeks before November's Election Day, Herriman residents received an anonymous mailer featuring Shannon's 2008 DUI citation.
Shannon disclosed the information on his website long before the mailer, explaining that, recovering from a back surgery, he had taken a surgeon-prescribed Ambien that night before picking up his son from work. Barely a mile away from his home, he began driving erratically and pulled over. He called his wife — another driver called the police.
The charge was amended to reckless driving with a $1,000 fine.
The mailer backfired on Election Day, as it caused an outpouring of support for the first-time councilman. Among the four City Council contenders, Shannon took 33 percent of the vote.
Shannon campaigned with fellow city hall newcomers Mills and Councilman Craig Tischner — and all beat the incumbents.
During Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Shannon's seat remained empty and his nameplate gone.
e-mail: astowell@desnews.com