Lexington Police Officer Resigns After Kratom Use on Duty Leads to ‘Psychotic’ State
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington police officer who had previously been suspended for crashing his patrol car multiple times resigned after an internal investigation revealed he was regularly using kratom while on duty, leading to blackouts, seizures, and even a “psychotic state.”
According to city disciplinary records, Officer John Gibbons II resigned on August 8, 2025, shortly after the disciplinary board recommended he be fired.
Pattern of Kratom Use and Crashes
Records show that Gibbons, who joined the Lexington Police Department in April 2021, admitted to consuming kratom “almost every day” from August 2024 through December 2024 while working.
At least two of his five patrol car crashes in a two-year span were tied directly to kratom use. He was previously suspended for one week in December 2024 because of his repeated accidents.
All five crashes were considered minor, with no reported injuries, but disciplinary records state Gibbons failed to report at least one of them to his supervisor.
July 2024 Incident: 911 Call from His Cruiser
On July 13, 2024, while on duty in his cruiser, Gibbons ingested kratom and became so disoriented that he entered what investigators described as a “psychotic state.”
Unable to function, he dialed 911 from his own patrol car for assistance.
Investigators also noted that Gibbons experienced seizures and blackouts on multiple occasions, sometimes requiring hospitalization. In at least one case, fellow officers feared he was overdosing.
Kratom and Its Effects
Kratom is a plant-based substance with both opioid-like and stimulant-like properties. While some people use it to manage withdrawal symptoms, its side effects can include:
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Seizures
- High blood pressure
- Slow breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
It is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the Drug Enforcement Administration has listed it as a “drug of chemical concern.”
In 2024, Kentucky passed a law placing age restrictions, product standards, and labeling requirements on kratom. Despite this, the drug remains available over the counter at gas stations and vape shops across the state.
Disciplinary History and Crashes
Gibbons’ crash history began on April 5, 2023, when he struck another police vehicle while trying to parallel park a police transport wagon on Nicholasville Road. The incident caused minor damage to the other vehicle’s taillight.
The Lexington Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit investigated the matter and documented the pattern of collisions and impairment concerns.
Despite his troubled record, Gibbons remained with the force until his resignation. The police department declined to comment on the case after his departure.
The investigation highlights ongoing concerns about the dangers of kratom use among public safety officials, as well as the drug’s broader risks despite its widespread availability. For more Kentucky news and community updates, stay with ChicagoMusicGuide.com.