Outgoing Shoshoni Mayor Cited for Unlawful Contact After Office Clash
Sheriff's office charged Joel Highsmith after a physical dispute with councilmember Jordan Whitener over a voting complaint.
By Rafael Delgado ·
The Fremont County Sheriff's Office cited outgoing Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith on Tuesday for unlawful contact.
The charge stems from a physical altercation in a town office that involved Highsmith and city councilmember Jordan Whitener. Shoshoni Police Chief Christopher Konija confirmed the citation, which is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $750 and six months in jail. The incident occurred after Whitener confronted Highsmith at the Shoshoni Town Hall regarding a dispute at a local polling place.
The conflict began earlier in the day at the Shoshoni Senior Center polling place. Whitener said he was speaking with a man about 300 feet from the entrance about a trailer for sale. Highsmith took a photo of the pair and later entered the polling place. Voting officials then spoke with Whitener about a report filed against him. Highsmith later told reporters he had a concern about electioneering but stated he was satisfied Whitener was not guilty. Whitener described the situation as stemming from Highsmith's conduct at the location.
When Whitener appeared at Highsmith's office at town hall, the mayor called police to have the councilmember removed. Highsmith said he felt Whitener was disrupting town business. The police chief stated that Highsmith made physical contact several times before officers arrived. This included alleged chest bumping. Whitener wrote that Highsmith got in his face and repeatedly bumped into him. The councilmember said the mayor appeared intent on provoking a physical confrontation.
Konija and two other officers responded to the scene. They kept the men separated until a sheriff's deputy arrived. Because the incident involved the mayor and a city council member, the police department had a conflict of interest. The sheriff's office immediately took over the investigation. The police chief noted he did not witness the initial electioneering complaint firsthand but said it appeared to involve Whitener talking to voters across the street after they had voted.
Highsmith said he was asked if he wanted to press charges against Whitener but chose not to. He said he did not knowingly touch Whitener, noting that his stomach might have made contact due to his build. The mayor described himself as a short, fat man in his 70s who poses no physical threat. In a text message, he claimed Whitener came into town hall as the aggressor. Whitener said he chose not to engage and noted the physical disparity between the two men. He stated he weighs 215 pounds and regularly works out.
The dispute follows a recent election cycle in the town. Highsmith lost his bid for reelection as mayor and ran for an at-large seat on the Fremont County School District 24 board. Whitener also lost his mayoral race to Ron Ankeny. Konija, the police chief, also ran for one of four school board seats in that district. Highsmith said his court date is set for early December. The sheriff's office handled the citation, and the police chief was transferred to the sheriff's office when contacted for comment on the investigation.
