HISID commissioner arrested, cited after incident

A Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District commissioner was cited on charges including third-degree assault and terroristic threatening following an April 6 incident at the Holiday Island Country Club.

According to a report written by deputy Micah Gash, 76-year-old Douglas Pinkley was cited for disorderly conduct, terroristic threatening and third-degree assault.

Gash’s report says she was dispatched to the country club’s pro shop at approximately 12:44 p.m.

According to the report, Mark Douglas, 71, said Pinkley entered the pro shop at approximately 12:15, yelling and using profane language toward staff, alleging they had insulted his wife.

The report says Douglas told Gash that staff had informed Pinkley’s wife that payment was required on an overdue account because the Pinkleys had played golf twice without paying.

Douglas said he exited from behind the counter and instructed Pinkley to leave the premises, the report says.

“At that time, Pinkley pushed Douglas with both hands and stated that he was going to ‘whip his a**,’ ” the report says.

Douglas again told Pinkley to leave, according to the report, and Pinkley left the pro shop and drove onto the golf course in a golf cart.

The report says Douglas confirmed that he wanted to press charges and advised Gash that three witnesses — two employees and a golfer — were present during the incident. Gash’s report says she provided Douglas with forms for written witness statements, then left the pro shop to try to locate Pinkley.

According to the report, Gash found Pinkley near Hole No. 4. Asked to explain the incident, Pinkley said staff had disrespected his wife when requesting payment and that Douglas had attempted to remove him from the pro shop, the report says.

Gash informed Pinkley that Douglas alleged he had been shoved with both hands and that there were three witnesses to the incident, according to the report.

“Pinkley then roughly placed his hands on my shoulders and stated, ‘I just did

this,’ ” Gash’s report says. “I immediately instructed Pinkley not to put his hands on me.”

Gash advised Pinkley that Douglas wished to pursue assault charges, the report says.

“Pinkley responded that I should not pursue charges,” Gash writes in the report. “I explained that when a victim wants to press charges and there is supporting evidence, I do not have a choice.

“Pinkley became increasingly loud and exhibited aggressive behavior in the presence of other individuals on the golf course,” the report says. “He stated that he would not be going with me and began walking toward his golf cart, advising that I could follow him to his residence. I informed Pinkley that he would not dictate (to) me and that I would not follow him. I further advised him that attempting to leave would result in additional charges.

“I requested an additional unit via dispatch. Upon hearing this, Pinkley questioned the request and subsequently became more cooperative.”

After agreeing that a male seated on the nearby golf cart could take possession of his golf clubs, Pinkley said, “come on,” and began walking ahead of Gash toward the roadway, the report says.

Upon reaching Gash’s patrol unit, Pinkley was placed into custody at approximately 1:17 p.m., according to the report. He was placed in handcuffs, then requested to be seated in the front seat of the patrol unit, the report says. Pinkley was advised that he would be secured in the rear caged portion, Gash writes in her report.

Pinkley was transported to the Carroll County Detention Center in Berryville without incident, the report says. He then was issued a citation.

PINKLEY RESPONDS

Pinkley said by phone Monday, April 20, that the incident began when staff at the pro shop “insulted my wife.”

“I went up there, asked them about it, they denied it,” Pinkley said. “And then he ran around the counter because I told him: ‘Being rude like that, you can get fired. I’m a commissioner.’ ”

The Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District oversees amenities including the golf course, which is funded in part through property owner assessments.

“And so, long and short, he ran around the counter,” Pinkley said. “I don’t know what he was trying to do, but he got in my face. I just put my fingers on him, pushed him back, just arm’s length. And I asked him: ‘Were you going to hit me?’ And he said: ‘You pushed me.’ I just turned around. We had a few more words. I walked out.”

Pinkley said he has been targeted by some employees because of his actions as a commissioner.

“They made a big scene out of this thing, OK?” Pinkley said. “They want to get rid of me because I’m not their friend. I’m trying to get them to do their work. They’re not doing their job right.”

Pinkley, whose term as a commissioner is set to expire in December, said he has consulted with an attorney but has not yet decided whether to pay the citation. He said a court date is scheduled for June 5.

“We’re trying to decide whether I just pay the fine or fight it, and I haven’t decided,” he said.