Couple Arrested at P&Z Meeting

Drama broke out at the Sept. 9 Planning and Zoning meeting during the discussion of approving a conditional plat for Freedom Ridge – a development in western Hernando County with a potential for 246 residential lots. Pamela Cremeans was removed from the meeting after disrupting the Citizens’ Comments segment. She didn’t go peaceably and was arrested. During her arrest, her husband, Shawn Cremeans was arrested on several charges, including Obstruction of a Criminal Investigation and Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.

Chairman Nicholas Holmes first advised Pamela Cremeans to address the committee during her comments when she faced the audience and asked, “Which of you want this in our town?” Cremeans answered, “I’m addressing the power of the American Citizen, which does not sit with you, sir. I’m an adult, and I can speak to whomever I want.”

She went on to request answers immediately regarding the results of a traffic analysis for the area in question just south of Cortez Boulevard behind Walmart.

Holmes advised Cremeans that during Public Hearings, Citizens’ Comments are not answered in a question/answer format, which angered Cremeans. “I’m not asking anyone about what your opinion about protocol is. I’m an adult American citizen who’s asking a specific question regarding the topic at hand.”

Holmes asked, “Do you want to be removed?” Cremeans answered, “No, I want you to answer a question. Holmes reiterated that questions would not be answered individually during Citizens’ Comments.

Cremeans spoke to someone in the audience, then turned back to the dais and asked, “How do we remove you … Mr. Holmes?”

After Holmes answered that she would need to address his removal with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), Cremeans again addressed the audience, expressing her disapproval of the intended project and others in the county. The audience then erupted in a mixture of applause and conversation. An unidentified male could be heard shouting, “Answer the questions!”

After more exchange between Cremeans and the committee while audience members overlapped in conversation, a Bailiff approached Cremeans, warning that if she didn’t respect the decorum of the meeting, she would be asked to leave. She took her seat after being advised her 3 minutes of time was up.

Committee member Jonathan McDonald immediately addressed the audience, admiring the interest and participation of everyone in attendance. He added, “When you come in with guns blazing, all you’re going to get these officials to do is shut down.”

Interrupting from the audience during McDonald’s statement, Cremeans was approached by two deputies directing her to leave the John Law Ayers Commission Chamber. A third deputy approached when she appeared to resist. Several members of the audience left the chamber after attempting to record the exchange on their cell phones but were advised from the dais that recording was prohibited.

The committee went into recess while Cremeans was physically removed after refusing to leave.

Moments after Cremeans was removed an unidentified female returned and approached who was apparently Shawn Cremeans. He ran out of the chamber.

According to arrest affidavits, additional deputies responded to a panic alarm from the chamber. Shawn Cremeans is reported as Pamela Cremeans’ husband in these documents.

Documentation of the incident within Shawn Cremeans’ arrest affidavit reports that he attempted to push deputies with the closed chamber door while they attempted to secure Pamela Cremeans. He reportedly grabbed a Sergeant by the shirt before he was handcuffed. He was found to be in possession of a handcuff key after his arrest.

Pamela Cremeans was charged with two counts of Resisting LEO with Violence (Florida Statute 843.01) and one count of Trespass After Warning (810.09(2b)).

Shawn Cremeans was arrested and charged with two counts of Obstruction of a Criminal Investigation (838.21), two counts of Resisting an Officer with Violence (843.01), one count of Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer (784.03(1)(a)) and one count of Trespass after Warning (810.09(2b). He was also charged with Concealing a Handcuff Key – a third-degree felony according to Florida Statute 843.021.