Kansas trooper: Rep. Aaron Coleman ‘erratic’ in November traffic stop; no DUI charges filed
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A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper pulled his gun in response to "erratic" behavior by Rep. Aaron Coleman during a traffic stop in Douglas County last year, according to court documents released Wednesday.
Coleman was initially arrested for alleged driving under the influence, a charge that was eventually not pursued by the Douglas County district attorney. Instead, the Kansas City, Kan., Democrat faces two traffic violations — speeding and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Sworn affidavits filed by Master Trooper Michael Hamilton don't shed light on why Coleman was initially booked for driving under the influence and don't describe field sobriety tests or blood tests being performed during or after the Nov. 27 traffic stop near Lawrence on the Kansas Turnpike.
But Hamilton does describe Coleman's behavior as "erratic" and noted he didn't comply with verbal instructions to the point where the trooper requested backup from the Kansas Highway Patrol and Lawrence Police Department.
While driving on the Turnpike over the Kansas River Bridge, Hamilton clocked a white Pontiac Grand Prix belonging to Coleman going 92-miles-per-hour in a 75-mile-per-hour zone. He also observed Coleman "straddling the yellow fog line and more than halfway into the left shoulder, even though the right turn signal was activated."
More: Lawbreaking lawmakers remain in Kansas Legislature. Colleagues want to kick an accused one out.
Upon the trooper turning on his lights and siren, Coleman did not immediately stop but instead pulled off to a nearby toll plaza, coming to a halt one minute and 50 seconds after Hamilton first initiated the traffic stop.
After the vehicle stop, Coleman immediately exited his car with his hands raised, holding an unknown black object.
"MSTrp Hamilton put his patrol car in reverse and quickly backed up to create distance before exiting his patrol car, drawing his pistol and holding it at the high ready position while ordering the driver to get back in the vehicle," the affidavit said.
Coleman continued to hold the black object, which was identified as a cell phone, but did not get back in his car, instead saying "Ok! Ok, officer!" and placing the phone on the ground.
He then placed both of his hands on his head while saying "Ok! Ok, man! Hands up! Don't shoot! What do you want?! What's going on?!" according to the affidavit.
Hamilton said Coleman also did not respond to his command to walk to the rear of the car, instead walking "in a circle with his arms raised above his head while saying: 'Alright, man!'" After repeated instructions, Coleman eventually complied.
Backup arrived at the scene and Coleman was then searched for weapons before being handcuffed and detained.
In a text message to The Capital-Journal in December, Coleman said he was going to the Statehouse at the time of his arrest, although he did not indicate why. Coleman didn't immediately respond to a text Wednesday seeking comment.
Kansas Democratic Party suspends Coleman related to string of alleged misbehavior
Coleman's political career has been controversial, leading to members of his own party to call for his resignation or removal from office.
The Kansas Democratic Party approved a resolution at their convention Saturday suspending Coleman for two years, effectively denying him access to party resources, though he was already largely ostracized within the party apparatus.
A group of Democratic lawmakers filed a complaint against Coleman after his arrest in Douglas County, seeking his removal from the Legislature.
A committee has been formed to investigate the matter, but Rep. John Barker, R-Abilene, who chairs that panel has said he wants to wait until Coleman's legal issues have been dealt with.
Previously: Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman arrested on domestic violence allegations in Johnson County
The Douglas County charges come after Coleman was arrested and charged in Johnson County with misdemeanor domestic battery stemming from an altercation with his brother, where police records show the 21-year-old lawmaker allegedly hit and spit on his brother and made threatening remarks to his grandfather.
Court records show Coleman applied for diversion last week, where charges could be dismissed as long as the 21-year-old complied with a set of restrictions.
In October, the Kansas Department of Labor advised Coleman he was banned from its Topeka headquarters after allegedly attempting to access an employee-only area of the building and speaking to building security in a "loud and demanding tone."
During the August 2020 partisan primary against former Rep. Stan Frownfelter last year, Coleman admitted to cyberbullying and revenge porn while in middle school, gaining national attention in the process.
After Coleman defeated Frownfelter in the primary, an ex-girlfriend later came forward alleging he abused her, physically and verbally, while the pair dated in 2019 and that the harassment continued until his Kansas House bid in 2020. The Topeka woman said Coleman physically assaulted and threatened to kill her during their two-month relationship.
Coleman was the subject of a restraining order from a staffer who worked for a former political rival, although the matter was settled and dropped by mutual agreement earlier this year.
Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by phone at 443-979-6100.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Rep. Aaron Coleman ‘erratic’ during November traffic stop, report says
