PROBATION OFFICER CITED ON DRUG CHARGES

A local probation and parole officer has been charged with drug trafficking
and possession.

According to Kentucky State Police, charges of trafficking in a legend
drug, firearm enhanced (first offense) and third-degree possession of a
controlled substance were filed Friday in Henderson County against
40-year-old Henderson resident Jennifer Ann Kizer. Trafficking in a legend
drug, firearm enhanced is a felony.

Firearm enhanced means that when a gun is present during certain crimes it
will increase the seriousness of the charge.

A legend drug is one that requires a prescription but is not a controlled
substance.

Officials would not comment on what type of drug was involved.

Probation and parole officers are also issued firearms but again officials
would not comment on whether Kizer was in possession of a duty weapon or a
personal weapon at the time she was charged.

KSP Lt. Lisa Rudzinski, commander of community relations, said the charges
stem from an investigation by the KSP drug enforcement branch. The
investigation has been going on less than a month, she said.

Rudzinski said Kizer was cited into court and not arrested because "she was
not considered a flight risk and she is cooperating with the investigation."

Whether a person is taken into custody or cited into court is at the
discretion of the arresting officer, Rudzinski said.

"On drug related charges more people are arrested than cited," she said,
"but it's not uncommon to be cited."

Kizer is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday, July 10 in
Henderson District Court.

Kizer has been a parole officer in Henderson County since Nov. 1, 1996, and
a state employee since Dec. 16, 1988, according to a spokesperson with the
Department of Corrections.

A statement published by the Department of Corrections said that the agency
became aware of the charges against Kizer on Monday and that an
investigation began "immediately."

The statement, which was read Tuesday to The Gleaner by Joy Horton, a
district supervisor for probation and parole, also said that the department
of corrections has begun disciplinary action.

Lisa Lamb, communications director with Department of Corrections, said
that the disciplinary action means "we're moving to terminate employment."

Lamb also said that the department is "still actively investigating"
Kizer's case.