By Erik Jones, Lorain Daily
An Elyria man was cited for physical control after a domestic dispute in a restaurant parking lot led to a police investigation that revealed recent cocaine use, confirmed by both the man and his girlfriend.
Officers with the Elyria Police Department responded to Basil’s restaurant on West Bridge Street on the morning of May 16 after receiving a call about a disturbance between a man and a woman in a parked vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found 57-year-old Michael Brown and 44-year-old Jacqueline Honoshofsky engaged in a verbal altercation in Brown’s white Chevrolet pickup truck.
According to police, the dispute involved accusations of infidelity. During the argument, Brown allegedly grabbed Honoshofsky’s shirt in an attempt to pull her out of the truck, causing her shirt buttons to come off. Witnesses said Brown also threw her purse from the vehicle, and Honoshofsky began tossing its contents back at him in the parking lot. A Basil’s employee confirmed the account and also reported hearing Honoshofsky threaten to have Brown killed during the altercation.
Officers noted the smell of alcohol on both individuals and inside the vehicle. Brown denied drinking, instead claiming that Honoshofsky had poured beer on him. He agreed to field sobriety tests but was unable to perform all of them due to having a prosthetic leg and complaining of pain while standing. During the investigation, Brown admitted to using cocaine two to three days prior.
Honoshofsky later confirmed Brown’s cocaine use to another officer on scene.
Although Brown submitted to a breathalyzer test at the North Ridgeville Police Department and registered a 0.000 blood alcohol concentration, officers reported that his pupils were constricted and his behavior was consistent with stimulant use. A Drug Recognition Expert evaluated Brown and concluded he was likely under the influence of stimulants at the time of the incident.
Brown was cited for physical control under Ohio Revised Code 4511.194(B)(1), a first-degree misdemeanor, and released into the care of his brother. No charges were filed against Honoshofsky.
The incident was recorded on officers’ body cameras. The case has been closed following the issuance of the citation.