TALLAHASSEE -- Police announced Wednesday the arrest of a local Democratic Party activist in connection with a scuffle that broke out at a Leon County party meeting last month.
Jacob Eaton turned himself in at the county jail Tuesday night after learning a warrant had been issued for him. He was charged with battery on a person over 65.
Eaton, 39, and former County Commissioner Bob Henderson, 70, were involved in a brief incident that disrupted a meeting of Leon County Democratic Executive Committee leaders on Jan. 23 at city hall. Witnesses said Eaton was disruptive and shouting down a speaker at the meeting and that Henderson, the county party's treasurer, approached and put his hand on Eaton's arm, asking him to sit down.
An affidavit by TPD Officer Ginny Osborn said Eaton shoved Henderson to the floor and, when he stood up, knocked him down again. Eaton told police at the scene that he only put his hands up in front of his chest, defensively, and had not tried to assault Henderson.
Henderson initially told officers at City Hall he did not want to press charges and the case was cleared at the time. However, after viewing a video of the incident, TPD reopened the investigation on its own authority three days later.
TPD spokesman David Northway said the video recording is not available for public release because it is evidence and the investigation is continuing.