Erickson removed from Pulaski Town Council
By DAVID QUESENBERRY
Patriot Publishing
Pulaski Town Council at its Tuesday meeting removed Steven Erickson from his council seat following an official finding by the Council that he “committed misconduct in office.”
Erickson was arrested by the FBI on July 23, 2026 and charged with two felony counts of receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material. Since his arrest, Erickson has remained in federal custody at the Roanoke Adult Detention Center.
Council removed Erickson from office by its unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-27. Acting according to Section 3.10(c) and Section 3.11 of the Town Charter, Council may suspend and remove officers of the town for “misconduct in office or neglect of duty.” Council members may not be removed from office without a hearing before removal. A unanimous vote of Council is required to remove a member.
In compliance with the Town Charter, the resolution noted that Council on July 27, 2026, unanimously voted to suspend Erickson for 60 days, urging him to resign “in the best interests of the Town.” The vote also notified Erickson that he had the opportunity to be heard before the Council. According to the resolution, Erikson had not resigned nor had he provided written comments “justifying his conduct and explaining why he should not be removed.” The resolution also said that Erickson’s incarceration makes him “incapable of performing his duties as a Town Council Member.”
The resolution as unanimously approved, ordered the removal of Erickson, effective immediately and stated Council’s finding that he “committed misconduct in office” based upon evidence “he received and distributed child sex abuse material while a member of Town Council.”
The Town Attorney was directed to file a petition with Pulaski County Circuit Court for a special election on the date of the November 2027 general election to fill Erickson’s Council seat. According to the Town Charter and the Code of Virginia, Council now has 45 days to appoint an eligible citizen to the vacant Council seat to serve as an interim member until a candidate is elected and qualified by the November 2027 special election.
The resolution also asked for Town citizens interested in the Council seat to submit a resume and statement to Town Council requesting consideration for appointment. At its next regular meeting on September 15, 2026, Council is to announce the names of persons being considered for the interim Council appointment and will also make the candidate’s resume and statement of interest available for inspection.
After passage of the resolution, Town Manager Todd Day told Council he had a letter drafted concerning applications for the interim Council position which would be posted on the Town’s social media account the next day. He also advised that special called meetings of Council may be needed to consider any applications received.