Jacksonville, FL — A now-former officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is no longer facing a battery charge, after agreeing to a deal that involves community service and other steps.
WOKV has been following the case against Thomas McDonald since mid-2017, when he was arrested for misdemeanor battery. McDonald is accused of inappropriately touching a woman while out at a bar in Riverside. He was not on duty, nor was he working in any law enforcement capacity at the time.
The affidavit for arrest warrant says he was at Birdies with a friend, a woman, and her boyfriend, when McDonald put his hand inside of the woman’s shirt and under her bra. The affidavit says the incident was caught on surveillance, and it was clear McDonald’s conduct was not wanted by the victim. When the victim’s boyfriend questioned McDonald, the affidavit says McDonald talking about going outside to fight.
McDonald has pleaded not guilty in this case.
New court records obtained by WOKV show McDonald has completed pre-trial intervention, which includes writing a letter of apology to the victim, attending anger management classes, and completing community service. The agreement says the victim has been cooperative and concurs with the disposition.
The records further show that McDonald has agreed to resign from JSO. At the time of his arrest in mid-2017, he had been with them for 18 years.
With the completion of the pre-trial intervention, the State Attorney’s Office has now filed nolle prosequi, essentially dropping the charge and closing the case.
