GPD Officer of the Year Who Allowed Colleague to Commit Sexual Assault Responds to Domestic Abuse Case
Telfred Gary Cartwright, 51, was arrested on September 8 and charged with one count of child abuse without great bodily harm and two counts of simple battery (domestic).
On the night of September 6, Officer George Connolly responded to reports of a runaway girl. The victim ran away from home because Cartwright, her father, threw her to the ground and kicked her at least three times. The victim told Connolly that Cartwright hit her mom when she tried to stop the battery.
The following day, GPD 2023 Officer of the Year Emma Spaulding met with the victim and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
On August 13, 2022, Officer Emma Spaulding, Officer Tommy Alvin, and Corporal Brooke Shutterly went to Coconut Cabaret under the jurisdiction of Sergeant Aaron Wagle.
Shutterly, Alvin and Spaulding entered the club without the owners' permission and Shutterly sexually assaulted three employees under the pretext of a city ordinance check on nudity.
Spaulding watched and approved Shutterly‘s commitment of a felony.
All the officers received written warnings, except Spaulding, who received no disciplinary action.
At the Gainesville State of the City address in February, Mayor Harvey Ward announced Spaulding had been awarded 2023 GPD Officer of the Year and gave her a round of applause along with the City Commissioners and almost everyone else in the room.
GPD Head of Criminal Investigations Captain Paris Owens told GnvInfo that Shutterly no longer works for GPD.
It hasn't been confirmed if Alvin is presently employed, but he was still an officer as of July 9, 2023.
Wagle is still employed with GPD. He can be seen at the Traffic Safety Training & Awards Ceremony held last month.
Spaulding’s involvement in Cartwright’s abuse case shows she’s still employed with GPD.
The victim told Spaulding that Cartwright kicked her because she wanted to go to a football game. She told Spaulding that Cartwright hit her mom when she tried to defend her and that he’d been physically abusive for years.
Connolly met with the victims the same day.
The victim’s mother initially said, out of fear, that Cartwright didn’t hit her or her daughter. After Connolly had a conversation, the victim’s mother said she was afraid to disclose the abuse because Cartwright would have nothing, and “that’s when someone is their most dangerous.”
Connolly reportedly told the victim’s mother that resources would be available after Cartwright’s arrest. She was right to be concerned; violent offenders in Alachua County are frequently released on bond.
The victim's mom said she’d disclose the abuse Cartwright committed against her when her daughter returned home.
Connolly arrested Cartwright and placed him in double-locked handcuffs.
Cartwright claimed he needed medical attention and was transported to North Florida Medical Center.
Connolly told Spaulding to speak with the victims. The daughter asked Spaulding what Cartwright’s bond was and was afraid he’d get out of prison. Both victims told Spaulding about crimes Cartwright had previously inflicted against them.
This is the first time Cartwright has faced any form of consequence for his violent behavior against his family.
The DCF has received multiple reports of Cartwright’s abuse.
Cartwright’s last criminal conviction was nearly two decades ago. He was found guilty of not having a valid driver’s license, giving a false name to a law enforcement officer, and resisting or obstructing an officer without violence.
Cartwright’s bond is set at $200,000, but he motioned to reduce it yesterday. The motion says that Cartwright can’t afford the bond and would live at his mother’s house if released.
The victim is “adamant that she [is] afraid to be in [her] home until she knows Cartwright will not be able to come back and harm them.” The victim said her mother hadn’t reported because she is afraid that Cartwright will “send someone to kill them if he ends up going to prison.”
Judge David Kreider is presiding over this case. His contact information is listed on the Eighth Judicial Circuit’s website.
Kreider’s office is located at the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center (220 South Main Street, Room A325), and his contact number is (352) 548-3709.
The number will likely go to the voicemail of Kreider’s assistant Debbie Spivey who says she’s “unable to retrieve phone messages.” Her email is spiveyd@circuit8.org.
Updated Sep 26 | Kreider accepted the motion and Cartwright's bond is now $10,000.
