BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
LAKE BUTLER— A 38-year-old Lake Butler man is in more trouble after first being arrested in February for choking his live-in girlfriend and threatening deputies with a knife.
Shawn Michael Gibson was arrested by Union deputies for a second time on March 31 for a conditional release violation, obstructing justice and using a two-way communications device while committing a felony.
According to court papers, during his first appearance, Gibson was ordered not to contact the victim.
Union Sheriff’s Sergeant Charles Townsend wrote in a sworn complaint that after discovering that the defendant had been talking to the victim, he listened to recorded jail telephone calls made by the defendant to his mother.
Townsend wrote that during the calls, Gibson spoke to his girlfriend and instructed her to refuse to talk to prosecutors about the February incident. He also told her to get the no-contact order rescinded.
“During the conversations I listened to,” wrote Townsend, “Shawn and (the victim) clearly discuss the details of the case, confirming that he is talking to (the victim). Shawn (tells the victim) he is going to take this to trial, and he will not lose.”
Townsend added that he also spoke to Gibson’s mother who confirmed that her son and the victim spoke to each other, but that the mother did not know Gibson wasn’t allowed to talk to (the victim).
“This is misleading information after listening to the phone calls,” the sergeant added.
