Kelley legislative aide suspended after being charged with choking woman

Former Joplin resident Kolton Babb has been suspended from his job as legislative assistant to Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, after being arrested Wednesday on a domestic assault charge after he allegedly choked a 20-year-old Columbia woman.

Babb is free on a $10,000 cash bond.

From the Columbia Tribune report:

Andrew Popplewell, attorney for Kolton Babb, supplied the following statement: "Mr. Babb denies the allegations in the probable cause statement. Furthermore, it is his intent to plead not guilty in this matter at the appropriate juncture in the judicial proceedings. Due to the pending nature of the criminal case, Mr. Babb cannot comment further."

Representative Kelley commented on the seriousness of the allegations.

In a statement, Kelley said. "These are very troubling allegations that need to be fully investigated by law enforcement. Kolton has maintained his innocence in conversations with me, but this is now a matter four our legal system to resolve so that justice is served," He went on to say, "I hope that Kolton has been honest with me and that he will be able to prove his innocence, but if he is guilty of these violent actions, he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

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