Seminole County commissioner accused of punching son in face leaves jail

SANFORD, Fla. — Seminole County Commissioner John Horan left the Seminole County Jail Thursday afternoon, one day after being arrested on a domestic violence battery charge.

A judge released Horan, 65, on his own recognizance.

"I'm confident that if I allow you to go home and order you to have consensual non-hostile contact with your son, that's going to happen," the judge said.

Horan asked for privacy while leaving jail Thursday.

"We had a little bump in our relationship, and I hope he appreciates we are going to try and work this out," he said. "This matter is a personal matter. It has nothing to do with my work on the commission."

Horan was arrested after getting into an argument with his adult son, James Horan, at their home, the Winter Springs Police Department said.

The two were discussing living arrangements before the argument turned physical, police said.

James Horan told investigators that his father punched him, a police report said. He called police after leaving the home.

Horan's wife, Joette Horan, told investigators that her husband slapped their son, but not very hard, records said.

James Horan filed paperwork Thursday saying he doesn't wish to prosecute.

"I am not in any further danger of injury or harm of any kind," he said. "And I want to make it clear that I personally no longer desire prosecution and would prefer that above noted criminal matter be dismissed."

The State Attorney's Office will make the final decision.

Cox Media Group