The regional director of OATS Inc. is charged with statutory sodomy for acts that allegedly occurred more than 10 years ago.

Michael J. Landy, 57, of St. Joseph, faces a charge of second-degree statutory sodomy. Mr. Landy allegedly had deviate sexual intercourse with a person younger than 17 between May 1, 1995, and Feb. 10, 1999, according to a probable cause statement filed by Detective Frank Till of the St. Joseph Police Department.

Mr. Landy was arraigned Tuesday and was released Wednesday on a $2,500 bond with the requirement that he have no contact with the victim.

Mr. Landy has worked for OATS for almost 34 years as regional manager, according to his profile on OATS’ Web site. He began with OATS as a VISTA volunteer before being hired in 1975 to manage the Northwest Region operations.

In 1992 he was awarded Transit Manager of the Year by the Community Transportation Association of America. OATS promoted him to senior regional director in May 1995.

Mr. Landy didn’t return a phone message Thursday, but OATS executive director Linda Yaeger said she supports Mr. Landy and would wait on the outcome of the case before judging him.

“He’s one of the best people I know,” Ms. Yaeger said by telephone from OATS headquarters in Columbia, Mo. “He’s been productive. He’s just an absolutely special person.”

No further information on the alleged victim’s gender, age or relationship to Mr. Landy was provided in court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 26 before Buchanan County Associate Circuit Judge Ronald Taylor.

Joe Blumberg can be reached

at joeblumberg@npgco.com.