Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism made his first court appearance on Monday, Nov. 14, in a case where he is charged with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest. Sheriff Chism entered a plea of not guilty.

Chism was arrested on Oct. 6 in Moberly. According to a probable cause statement, police responded to a report that a black Ford F-150 had hit a concrete barrier at an Arby's parking lot on West Highway 24. The responding officer allegedly found Chism asleep in the vehicle with an open container of "Mike's Harder" alcoholic beverage in the center console. According to the officer, Chism showed several signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, trouble walking and vomit on his sweatshirt and in the vehicle. The statement says Chism resisted arrest by clinging to his car seat as the authorities tried to remove from the vehicle. The statement went on to say Chism refused a chemical test of his blood or breath following his arrest.

Travis Noble is Chism's lawyer  said there is not proof of guilt in the evidence available. Noble says "There is no evidence that he drank any alcohol prior to parking in the vehicle and turning it off. Our position is that he pulled into the parking lot and was waiting for another law enforcement officer. While he was waiting for them, knowing that they would be coming to pick him up and he was not going to be driving, he opened up a Mike's Hard Lemonade and drank it, which is not illegal." Noble and Chism claim much of what was reported in the probable cause statement is incorrect. Noble also said there is no precendent or grounds for Chism to step down or to be placed on further leave from his office.

Chism's next court appearance for a disposition hearing is scheduled for January 23rd.