Alabama transportation director arrested on misdemeanor harassment charge

Alabama Transportation Director John Cooper was arrested Monday on a misdemeanor harassment charge, jail records show.

Cooper, 75, was arrested shortly before noon and booked into the Marshall County Jail on a charge of harassment. The longtime transportation director was released on $500 bond about 40 minutes later.

Chief Deputy Willie Orr, of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department said the arrest stemmed from a private citizen making a complaint against another. He declined to elaborate on the nature of the dispute.

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He said Cooper came to the jail around midday and turned himself in.

Cooper has been the director of the Alabama Department of Transportation since 2011. He is a member of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s cabinet. Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola said the governor’s office was gathering information on the arrest and did not have any immediate comment.