MOON RESIGNS FROM UNIVERSITY

Southeast Missouri State University has accepted the resignation of William H. Moon as director of physical plant, effectively immediately.

Moom was arraigned Friday in Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City on felony charges of deviant sexual assault in the first degree.

Moon, 54, of Rt. 2, Box 357, Chaffee, was arrested last Sunday for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl Friday and Saturday while the two were staying in Jefferson City. No further details of the incident were released.

A university spokesman said Friday that the acceptance of Moon's resignation carries no presumption of guilt.

The spokesman said Moon indicated Thursday evening that he was tendering his resignation in order to minimize embarrassment to the university as the case proceeds through the judicial process.

Moon, who was formerly executive director of the Joint Committee on Capital Improvements for the Missouri General Assembly, took the position at Southeast in March of 1992.

As physical plant director, Moon directed a department that includes 140 employees and maintains more than 2 million square feet of building space, as well as 400 acres of grounds, streets and athletic fields.