Gainesville woman arrested for hitting police officer at airport because she was upset her plane was delayed
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Charlene Cox Harper, 74, was arrested yesterday at the airport after allegedly hitting a police officer because she was upset that her plane was delayed.
A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that at about 6:53 p.m. on July 27, Harper was “extremely intoxicated” while waiting for a flight and became “overly upset” when her flight was delayed. Harper allegedly yelled at the ticket agent and cursed loudly; after she was told to lower her voice and stop cursing, she allegedly continued to yell obscenities, so the officer asked her to leave the airport.
The officer reported that Harper started walking out of the sterile area but then turned back and started yelling “F*** you” repeatedly at the officer, who placed his hand on her shoulder to escort her from the airport. Harper allegedly spun around and hit the officer in the chest area; the officer reported that he took her down and placed her in handcuffs.
The incident was reportedly witnessed by several other passengers.
Cox has been charged with disorderly conduct and battery on a law enforcement officer. She has no criminal convictions but successfully completed a deferred prosecution agreement in 2004 for charges of domestic battery and false imprisonment. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered her released on her own recognizance with a prohibition on using alcohol or illegal drugs.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Airports and airlines suck! They treat people like slave or animals.
You don’t have to fly.
Okay, Karen.
And…that’s one way to extend your delay!
Nice, job.
What you wanna bet she did not board,lol
probably now on the no-fly list.
There goes Moron Rawls again! She and some others need to be kicked off the bench! This is not what the people want from you!
Then, Buddy, maybe you can tell us what the people want? Why don’t you run for judge?
You are a simpleton who doesn’t understand anything about anything. Our jails are overcrowded. You can’t just keep anyone charged with any crime locked up for the max in every case.
For God’s sake, find a brain!
Judge Rawls- you have now sent the message to the community that people can hit police officers and just get ROR’d for it, with a slap on the wrist. Regardless of this lady’s lack of criminal history or not- that is absolutely disgraceful!
“Honorable” is the last thing you should be referred to as!
Hopefully ASO and GPD take issue with this!
If this lady hit you or another judge- you gonna ROR her then too?!
Knowing the way cops LIE she probably bumped into him and he needed an excuse to arrest her and get her out of the airport.
So, Paul: what would you do? Life imprisonment?
Daryl- some jail time, no question. Something to teach her that there ARE consequences.
If a student cusses-out and then hits a teacher, but the principal does nothing about it (no suspension) just a “ah, go back to class,” do you not see a problem with that?
Yeah let’s give all 74 yr old alcoholics with poor judgment long term jail sentences, taxpayers will be happy to pay.
“About 29.33% of county property‑tax revenue funds the Sheriff’s Office.
• The Sheriff’s Office includes jail operations, but also covers broader law enforcement duties (patrol, investigations, community services, etc.).”
It appears from all the recidivism the Chronicle likes to highlight, jails/prisons punishment does little to deter. Any solution to had?
Hey ‘Guest,”- I said ‘some,’ not long term. Some, due to her lack of much record, but still enough to show her that 74-yr old drunks still don’t just get hall-passes for hitting police. A misdemeanor theft- sure. But not a Felony such as Battery on a Police- for that there are still consequences.
I’m sorry- is that not logical to you??
Based on your comments here, logic isn’t your strong point, Paul.
Sure, Cig. For stating there should be consequences for anyone who deliberately strikes a police officer.
Gee, how “illogical” of me… 🙄
Lesson: take the first flights from GNV, and you won’t be delayed. The pilots sleep overnight here.
Wow, felony battery on LEO..and got ROR. Gainesville is the new Seattle..
Just imagine if they had lost her bag? Probably a mass casualty event.
Of course this Karen gets ROR
Bet I know who it voted for