Hickman’s Arnel Monroe pleads guilty to DWI charge

Update Wednesday 10:37 a.m.: In regards to Coach Monroe’s guilty plea, Columbia Public Schools spokesperson Michelle Baumstark responds to ABC 17’s inquiry Wednesday morning.

“By law, the school district cannot comment on personnel matters. Coach Monroe is still an employee and coach,” Baumstark wrote.

Original story from Tuesday night is posted below.

COLUMBIA, Mo.- Hickman football coach Arnel Monroe pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor DWI charge Tuesday, according to public records. Monroe was arrested July 6 during a DWI check point near Clark Lane in Columbia.

When asked for comment regarding his plea, Monroe told ABC 17, “I have accepted complete responsibility for my lack of judgement. I apologize from the bottom of my heart to my family, both at home and at school, as well as to Kewpie fans and supporters everywhere. I thank everyone for their support as we move forward.”

The Hickman football coach will serve two years of unsupervised probation along with several court-ordered conditions.

They include a victim impact panel and substance abuse traffic offender program (SATOP). Monroe is required to undergo all chemical tests and can not get in a car after drinking. He also has to report any arrests within 48 hours, and serve seven days of shock time under house arrest. The last requirement stems from his prior DWI charges.

Monroe was suspended for unknown and unrelated reasons midway into the 2013 season. After an investigation by Columbia Public School officials, Monroe was allowed to coach starting October 24, 2013. Officials say they did not find any wrongdoing on Monroe’s part.

In 2006, court records say Monroe pleaded guilty to a separate DWI charge in Columbia. He also served two years probation for that 2006 incident.