Eupora’s public works director was fired by city leaders the day after his weekend arrest on a felony drug charge.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Department and Justice Court Office provided this information concerning his arrest and subsequent judicial proceedings:
Around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, a Webster County K-9 unit assisted a Eupora Police Department officer on a traffic stop in Eupora. During the traffic stop, the deputy found Kenneth Scott Cooper was in possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). He was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Webster County Jail.
Justice Court Judge Jerry Jones on Monday set bond at $30,000 for Cooper, who posted bail and was released that afternoon. His next court date is Tuesday, April 19. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney representing him.
Cooper, 50, became the city of Eupora’s public works director over 1½ years ago. Sheriff David Gore said Cooper was in his personal vehicle and was not on duty at the time of his arrest. According to a charging affidavit filed by WCSD Sgt. Brandon Chaille, the traffic stop occurred on Mississippi Hwy. 9 near Mississippi Hwy. 182. Chaille alleged Cooper had more than 10 but less than 20 grams of methamphetamine, which is a felony amount of possession.
In addition to felony possession of a controlled substance, Justice Court records show Chaille also charged Cooper with misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia, which was alleged to be a meth pipe with residue.
Monday morning, Mayor Blake McMullan called a special Board of Aldermen meeting to be held that evening for the purpose of personnel. Aldermen voted to enter into executive session for that purpose immediately after the mayor called the meeting to order. Police Chief Lawrence Caradine remained in the boardroom during the 30-minute discussion. City Attorney Joey Hood was also in attendance.
After coming back into open session, Billy Tabb (Ward 2) made this motion: to terminate Cooper’s employment with the city of Eupora and that he turn in all his city equipment as soon as possible. Ricky Newton (Ward 3) seconded the motion.
McMullan broke a tie by voting aye and the motion carried. His vote was necessary because of the absence of Fourth Ward Alderman Robert Gibbs and a 2-2 tie among the aldermen present.
Jerry Gary (at-large) and Junior Shaw (Ward 1) voted nay. Both aldermen said after adjournment that they voted no because Cooper had not yet been proven guilty in a court of law and that he deserves his day in court.
Cooper began working with the city of Eupora in December 2018, when he was hired as the full-time water operator for the Water Department. In August 2020, the previous board voted unanimously to promote him to the vacant public works director position, compliance officer and code enforcement officer.
