ST. CROIX — A 67-year-old man is facing a felony assault charge after allegedly attacking his daughter during a dispute over a family home in Estate All for the Better, placing her in a chokehold that restricted her breathing as her three-year-old son witnessed the confrontation.
According to court documents, the incident occurred Monday morning, November 9, when the woman was cleaning her bathroom and heard someone unlocking the front door. Her father, Gary Brown, had arrived to drop off mail. Although Brown had a key to the property, he no longer lived there, his daughter told police.
Brown reportedly approached the woman and demanded to know when she intended to move out. She responded that she had permission to remain in the residence and did not plan to leave.
The disagreement allegedly escalated when Brown swung a closed fist at his daughter, who managed to duck the blow. He then reportedly grabbed her, wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her upward while squeezing tightly enough to restrict her breathing.
The woman's three-year-old son witnessed the confrontation and began shouting for his grandfather to stop, according to her account.
Upon hearing the child, Brown allegedly loosened his grip slightly, allowing his daughter to break free and retrieve her cellphone from another room. She called 911 to report the assault.
Brown had reportedly left the residence by the time she returned to the living room.
The woman told investigators that the confrontation stemmed from a disagreement over ownership of the property. Brown and his late mother were reportedly named on the deed, but his mother had allegedly left a will directing that ownership be shared among her five children, including Brown.
According to the woman, Brown previously lived at the residence with her, his girlfriend and another family member. A disagreement approximately six months earlier resulted in Brown and his girlfriend moving out.
Officers responding to the November 9 incident observed a bruise beneath the woman's chin, which she said had not been present before the confrontation. She also complained of neck pain.
When questioned by investigators, Brown reportedly admitted swinging a closed fist at his daughter after she refused to leave the residence.
He claimed that his daughter had also attempted to strike him and said he held her "tightly" until she relaxed. However, he denied attempting to strangle her.
The VIPD confirmed Brown's arrest in a November 10 statement, reporting that its Domestic Violence Unit investigated the incident after receiving a 911 call at approximately 10:26 a.m.
Brown was transported to the Wilbur H. Francis Command Police Station, where he was advised of his rights and processed on a charge of second-degree assault as a crime of domestic violence.
He was subsequently remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility without bail pending his advice-of-rights hearing, in accordance with the territory's domestic violence law.
That hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, before Magistrate Christopher Timmons. The outcome of the proceeding, including any subsequent bail determination, could not be independently confirmed.
The charge against Brown remains an allegation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
