Attorney General's News Release

July 27, 2000

Nixon moves to discipline certification of two Highway Patrol troopers involved in incident at Springfield hotel

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon has taken legal action on behalf of the Missouri Department of Public Safety (MDPS) to seek disciplinary action against the peace officer certifications of two Highway Patrol troopers who supplied alcohol to a 19-year-old waitress in a Springfield hotel room in February.

If the Administrative Hearing Commission grants the motion for MDPS to discipline the certificates of Kelly L. Poynter and Sean K. Wood, it could result in a revocation of their certificates, meaning they could no longer serve as law enforcement officers in Missouri.

Nixon's petition to the AHC, filed yesterday, points out that grounds for discipline of a peace officer's certification include "gross misconduct indicating inability to function as a peace officer."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818