Local

Orlando city commissioner speaks out about arrest of top aide

ORLANDO, Fla. — Eyewitness News talked to Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill following the arrest of her right-hand woman Friday night.

According to reports, Cara Reaves, 24, was at the Plaza Cinema Cafe in downtown Orlando when an officer spotted her approaching the ticket window. The officer reported that Reaves had trouble telling the clerk which movie she wanted to see because her speech was slurred.

Police said she and Roland Dorough eventually managed to pay for their tickets and walked inside, where Reaves allegedly pushed her way past the ticket taker and started shouting and causing a scene in the movie theater lobby.

"It has nothing to do with Regina Hill or district 5," Hill said.

The officer approached Reaves and said he could smell alcohol on her breath, according to an arrest report. When the manager asked Reaves and her male companion to leave, they reportedly refused.

That's when she allegedly became combative and the officer ordered her to leave, but she did not comply. The officer then arrested Reaves and Dorough.

The commissioner, who beat Juan Lynum to represent district 5 in May, said she hadn't been in contact with police regarding the case.

"Have you spoken to Orlando police?" reporter Shannon Butler asked

"No, I have not. This isn't affiliated with the city, this is her own personal journey," Hill said

On Sunday afternoon, Reaves addressed the incident alongside her attorney, Jane Carey.

“I did not batter anyone," Reaves said.

She said she did not resist arrest, and alleges she was the one battered by an officer inside a police substation cell.

“I was thrown so hard my head hit the wall and blood came out. I fell to the floor, blood was everywhere,” Reaves said.

While being taken to the hospital, an officer reported Reaves became combative again and poked him in the face and chest, before intentionally scratching his arm.

“My client would like the city of Orlando to investigate this particular situation,” Carey said.

Reaves is facing charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, disorderly intoxication and trespassing.

Dorough is facing charges for trespassing.

Reaves was hired as an aide to Hill, who took heat during her campaign for having a criminal history with more than 20 arrests.