DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Police say a city commissioner on Florida's east coast was arrested and charged with battery after punching an elderly man early Sunday. He is the second city commisioner from Daytona Beach to be charged with battery this year.
Robert Gilliland, 47, was released from the Volusia County Branch Jail Sunday morning on a $1,000 bond after police arrested the city commissioner for felony battery on a person over the age of 65, The Daytona Beach News Journal reports.
Police say that Gilliland assaulted Alan Robinson, 66, at the main gate of a subdivision after becoming impatient with a conversation Robinson was having with a security guard. Gilliland honked and cursed from his SUV, which was stuck behind Robinson's vehicle.
Once both men were through the gate, an argument ensued, and Robinson took Gilliland's car keys after he smelled alcohol and realized Gilliland was intoxicated. Gilliland then allegedly punched Robinson in the head.
Police found Robinson with a bloodshot eye, and the security guard corroborated his story.
Police said that despite slurring his speech and having trouble standing, Gilliland was not charged with driving under the influence because he was not behind the wheel at the time of the incident.
Robinson, who says he is a disabled veteran, did not require medical attention.
In March, another Daytona Beach city commissioner, Carl Lentz, was issued a tresspass warning from an adult entertainment club after he threatened city action against the establishment because one of the female servers refused to have sex with him, police said. In June, Lentz was charged with battery for throwing a drink at a bartender in the same club.
Gilliland has held office since 2005 and was re-elected in 2012. Lentz was first elected in 2012. He recently lost the Aug. 26 primary election to Ruth Trager, but still managed more votes than Andrew J. Moore, the other challenger for his District 1 seat.
