J. Scott Herman to Represent Villager in Aggravated Assault Charge
Orlando criminal defense lawyer J. Scott Herman will be representing a Villager facing multiple criminal charges in relation to an unusual incident involving drugs and a handgun. Patrick McGowan, 67, was arrested on August 19 after a strange incident in his home in the Village of Sanibel. He is facing multiple charges, including felonies.
According to police reports, the incident began at the Bonifay Country Club, where Patrick was having drinks with a friend of 2 years. They later left to his house on Adrienne Way where reports say Patrick pulled out a handgun and threatened to kill the man, accusing him of spying on him. He was eventually coaxed to put the handgun away, but soon after the situation worsened.
It is reported that Patrick returned naked and holding a marijuana pipe that he pressured his friend to smoke. The frightened man proceeded to pretend to smoke marijuana and then attempted to walk back to his car at the country club. Here, the man says Patrick caught up to him in a golf cart with the pretense of driving back to the country club but instead drove him at an alarming speed back to the house. Back at the house, reports say Patrick again threatened to shoot the man and a struggle ensued wherein the man took the gun and fired a warning shot. Deputies found Patrick and the other man on the floor of Patrick’s garage with the gun in the man’s possession.
Patrick was arrested and later released on $18,000 bond.
On August 30, represented by Orlando criminal defense attorney, J. Scott Herman, Patrick McGowan has pled not guilty to charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, battery, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug equipment.
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years prison sentence. Exacerbated with a myriad of other charges, an incident like this can result in a very long harsh sentencing. Hiring the aid of an Orlando criminal lawyer is vitally important when the events of a single night threaten to impact the rest of your life. Mr. Herman has successfully represented other Villagers facing criminal charges. Most recently, he was able to avoid prosecution for 2 separate clients both facing assault charges. Through pretrial intervention agreement, both cases were dismissed and the defendants instead were able to complete anger management courses.
