City Official In Missouri Charged After 'Teasing' Office Co-Worker With Shotgun

The streets superintendent in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of unlawful use of a weapon.

Denis Kearbey, 53, allegedly used his short-barrel shotgun to “tease” one of his co-workers in September, the Associated Press reported. The Missouri State Highway Patrol alleged that Kearbey brought the shotgun to work and pumped it several times, then asked the female clerk he was "teasing" whether or not she was scared.

Kearbey initially denied taking the gun to the office. Police later found a rifle and a suppressor in his city-provided vehicle, according to the Riverfront Times. After obtaining a warrant, police then conducted a search of Kearbey’s home which revealed a shotgun hidden under his bed, AP reported.

Kearbey later changed his story, claiming that while he did bring the gun to work he was using it to tease a co-worker for being liberal. He also said that he did pump the gun, but never threatened anyone with it.

Kearbey was released on $25,000 bond. His lawyer contends that Kearbey has the right to carry the firearm and did nothing wrong.

Kearbey has worked for the city of Poplar Bluff since 1991, according to the staff directory for Poplar Bluff. He started out working in the Cemetery Department and then transferred to the Streets Department. He became the Streets Superintendent in 2016 when the position was vacated after the previous superintendent was arrested and charged with shooting a woman, the Southeast Missourian reported.

A court order says that Kearbey is not currently allowed on city-owned property, so while he is still employed by the city, he cannot attend work, the Riverfront Times Reported.

International Business Times reached out to the City of Poplar Bluff, as well as the Poplar Bluff Police Department, but had not received a response about Kearbey’s arrest, or job status, at the time this article was published.