A preliminary hearing has been postponed until Dec. 4 for a Poplar Bluff city official facing felony weapons charges.
Street superintendent Denis Kearbey, 53, has been accused of exhibiting a shotgun in a threatening manner in front of another city employee.
Kearbey was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 13, and is currently barred by court order from stepping onto city property or approaching the alleged victim.
The city is paying approximately $6,700 a month in salary and benefits while Kearbey remains on paid leave. The department is currently being overseen by assistant street superintendent Jody Hessling.
"Since this investigation was being conducted by an outside agency (Missouri State Highway Patrol) it was recommended by the city attorney (Mark Richardson) to put him on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation," city manager Mark Massingham said.
It has not been determined how long Kearbey will remain on paid leave, Massingham said.
The city currently is waiting on the state's investigation report, he explained. Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley has said he requested a special investigation by the drug and crime control division because the alleged incident involved other city employees.
Kearbey is accused of exhibiting a pump action, short-barrel shotgun in front of street department clerk Regina Gray.
Gray alleged to highway patrol investigators that Kearbey brought the weapon into her office, pumped the shotgun multiple times and asked if Gray was scared.
Kearbey initially denied taking a firearm into the office, according to court documents. After a search of his residence recovered the weapon, Kearbey said he was teasing Gray about being a liberal, troopers reported.
Kearbey said he never intended to threaten anyone, a probable cause statement says.
Kearbey was arrested Sept. 14 and released after posting a bond of $25,000 cash or surety. He is charged with unlawful use of a weapon.
Kearbey was first named interim superintendent in early 2015 by former city manager Heath Kaplan. This position is filled by city manager appointment.
Kearbey became interim after the former head of the department was arrested on suspicion of shooting a woman at his Barron Road home during a custody dispute. A trial for Jeremy Grable has been scheduled for March 2018 for three counts each of assault and armed criminal action, all felony charges.
Grable was immediately suspended without pay following his arrest and later fired by the city.
The city's personnel manual, under suspension pending investigation, says certain alleged offenses "may warrant placement on administrative suspension without pay pending investigation."
This includes acts which present a danger to public health or safety, or criminal conduct.
"It was felt that until we are able to review the facts from the investigation report being conducted by the Highway Patrol this is the course of action we would take," Massingham said today. "Any further action without reviewing the facts in this case would be unfair."
Kearbey's status will be determined after the investigation is complete and the city is able to review the facts, he said.
"It is unfortunate for all of the individuals involved that it is taking this long for the report to be finished, but I do know with the patrol's expertise it will be a complete and accurate detail of the facts," Massingham said.Kearbey has an annual salary of $63,888. The assistant superintendent makes $44,946 a year.