Photo courtesy of Greene Co Sheriff's office

A Jefferson City Council member accused of extortion is asking for an arraignment hearing to be set after waiving his preliminary hearing.

According to court documents, 77-year-old Larry Teeples waived his preliminary hearing that was scheduled for Wednesday morning and his attorney, Stephen Swanson, has requested for the court to schedule an arraignment hearing. Teeples is charged with a Class D Felony for extortion.

The charge stems from an alleged incident that took place on January 2nd, when Teeples confronted Police Chief Mark Clouse at the law enforcement center about a traffic stop that involved his grandchild. A statement from the Greene County Sheriff’s secretary stated that during the interaction, Teeples told Clouse that he would not support the police department as a councilman unless the police department left his grandchild alone. He made similar comments to City Administrator Mike Palmer and Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams.

Teeples is currently still on the city council. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.