Port St. Joe commissioner arrested for domestic battery

Port St. Joe City Commissioner David Ashbrook was arrested by the Port St. Joe Police Department at around 1:30 a.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 12.

PSJPD officials confirmed that the commissioner was charged with domestic battery.

According to officials with the Gulf County Detention Facility, Ashbrook has been bonded out. His bond amount was $2,500.

“We are aware of the arrest, and it has been turned over to the state attorney’s office,” said Port St. Joe City Manager Jim Anderson.

According to the city’s charter, an acting commissioner who is convicted of a crime will be made to forfeit their office. Anderson indicated this would be the case should Ashbrook be convicted on his domestic battery charge.

Domestic battery is listed as a first degree misdemeanor in Florida, and penalties may include up to one year in jail, or 12 months of probation, and a $1,000 fine.

An arraignment has been scheduled for the case on March 8 with judge Timothy McFarland.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available.