Dispute leads to councilman’s arrest

Newly-elected Bremerton City Councilman Adam C. Brockus faced charges Thursday of obstructing a law enforcment officer during a dispute with his sister and her husband.

He was arrested Wednesday, the same day as his swearing in ceremony for his council District 3 seat, with bail originally set at $57,500. Brockus’ term officially began Dec. 28, 2005.

According to court documents, Bremerton Police were called to Brockus’ home in the 1100 block of Perry Avenue for a possible mental health problem with a 36-year-old woman later identified as Maria Brockus-Watson. When officers arrived they heard a woman yelling “get off me” and “quit holding me here.” They saw Brockus standing near the home and he was described as “unresponsive” when asked about the commotion upstairs.

The woman was located in one of the bedrooms arguing with her husband Leroy Watson. She later told police she believed she was being held there against her will because Brockus and her husband thought she was having an affair with another man. As an officer approached Maria, Brockus allegedly shoved him and later got between the officer and Watson as the officer tried to subdue Watson, court documents showed.

Police also believe Brockus locked the dead bolt to the door after the first officer entered the house, documents state.

According to City Attorney Roger Lubovich, a city councilman could be removed from office only if convicted of a felony. In that case, the city council would appoint a replacement until the next city general election. If convicted of a misdemeanor, the councilor can stay in office. Malfeasance or misfeasance must be proven in the event of a recall, he said.

Brockus, 39, defeated John Ales in the November election and replaces Daren Nygren, outgoing council president. Nygren, Mayor Cary Bozeman and former State Sen. Betti Sheldon endorsed Brockus’ candidacy.

For the past two years, Brockus has been a project engineer for Art Anderson Associates in downtown Bremerton.

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