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Pulaski council suspends council member Steven Erickson after federal charges are publicly disclosed
Summary
At a special July 27 meeting, the Pulaski Town Council adopted a resolution suspending council member Steven Erickson effective immediately after citing publicly released evidence related to two federal felony counts; the council set a Sept. 1 removal vote and gave Erickson until Aug. 12 to request a hearing.
The Pulaski Town Council on July 27 adopted a resolution suspending council member Steven Erickson effective immediately after citing publicly released evidence tied to federal charges. The chair read the resolution in a special called meeting and the council voted by roll call to adopt it.
The resolution, read aloud by the chair, said Erickson was arrested earlier in the week and is "being charged with 2 federal felonies counts for the receipt and distribution of child sexual-abuse material," and it ordered a 60-day suspension from council duties. The resolution cites the town charter (sections 3.10 and 3.11) as authorizing suspension and outlines next steps: the council set a removal vote for its Sept. 1, 2026 regular meeting and said Erickson must request to be heard by Aug. 12, 2026 if he wishes a hearing before that removal vote.
The council framed the action as a protection-of-community measure while reiterating Erickson's presumption of innocence in criminal court. "Although mister Erickson is entitled to the presumption of innocence in his criminal matter, the publicly released evidence required the council to act and promptly to protect the community's best interest," the chair read as part of the resolution. The resolution also urged Erickson to resign immediately "to save the town and community from the burden of further proceedings."
Council members voted by roll call; the clerk recorded 'Aye' responses from the other council members present and the resolution was adopted. The special meeting did not include a public-comment period; the chair said residents who wish to speak should attend the next regular council meeting on Aug. 4, 2026.
The council cited consultation with legal counsel in closed session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711(a)(8) before reading and voting on the resolution. The town has scheduled a removal vote for Sept. 1, 2026 if Erickson does not resign, and the resolution sets an Aug. 12, 2026 deadline for Erickson to request to be heard by council.
No statement by Erickson was recorded in the meeting transcript. The charges referenced in the resolution are federal; the resolution describes publicly released evidence but does not provide court documents or other attachments in the read statement.
