Man Sentenced in Domestic Abuse Cases Spanning Gainesville and Jacksonville; Judges Decline Jail Sentence Despite Pretrial Release Violations
Between August 2025 and April 2026, Michael Scott Brannon, 40, was sentenced in a number of misdemeanor domestic abuse cases spanning Alachua and Duval Counties.
Case 1:
On March 1, 2025, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Brannon and charged him with domestic battery. The victim, who provided police with a sworn statement, said she gave Brannon a ride home from work in Ocala back to their house. "[Brannon] appeared to be very intoxicated and fell asleep in the car. Upon arrival at home, the Victim attempted to wake [Brannon] but he refused to wake up, so the Victim went inside alone. While sitting inside the bathroom, [Brannon] came inside quickly and grabbed the Victim by the throat. [Brannon] then pushed the Victim against the wall/window which made the right side of her face collide with the wall/window. [Brannon] then walked away shortly after. The Victim explained that she was still able to breath and did not lose consciousness during this incident.”
“Upon looking at the Victim, I observed a large bruised swollen mark to the right side of her face above her eyebrow,” noted Deputy Tommy White Jr.
Brannon refused to speak with deputies
Case 2:
On March 12, 2025, prosecutors in Alachua County directly filed charges against Brannon for violating pretrial release conditions in a domestic violence case. The details surrounding this incident are unclear but the charging document indicates Brannon illegally called the victim. He was issued a summons in this case in lieu of arrest. The incident occurred on March 1, which would indicate Brannon illegally called the victim from jail or bonded out the same day of his arrest and then illegally called her.
Case 3:
On June 2, 2025, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) units served a warrant on Brannon for violating pretrial release conditions in a domestic violence case.
On March 16, 2025, the victim told JSO she received a phone call from Brannon despite orders from an Alachua County judge to not contact her amid his pending domestic battery case.
The arrest report indicates Brannon used the phone at Brick’s City Kitchen, where he was reportedly employed, to illegally call the victim.
Sentences:
Regarding Case 3, on August 5, 2025, Brannon entered a no contest plea. This case carried a maximum sentence of roughly one year in jail.
According to court records, Judge Rhonda Peoples-Waters adjudicated Brannon guilty and sentenced him to pay a few hundred dollars in court costs—No probation or jail time aside from time served.
Regarding Case 1, on February 10, 2026, Brannon entered a no contest plea in Judge David Kreider’s courtroom. This case carried a maximum sentence of roughly one year in jail.
Court records in this case confirm Brannon entered an open plea, meaning there was not a negotiated agreement between Brannon and prosecutors, giving Kreider discretion to hand down the maximum sentence. Kreider adjudicated Brannon guilty and sentenced him to one year of probation.
Regarding Case 2, on April 6, 2026, Brannon entered a no contest plea. This case carried a maximum sentence of roughly one year in jail.
Judge Meshon Rawls adjudicated Brannon guilty and sentenced him to one year of probation and five "days [of] work crew." Rawls ordered that the probation can be “terminated upon completion work crew days + [completion of] court cost payments.”
The Florida Department of Corrections website shows Brannon's probation is scheduled to terminate in February 2027.
Editor’s Notes: Based on court records, Case 2 and Case 3 may be open pleas but this hasn’t been confirmed, Regardless, judges have the discretion to reject a negotiated plea agreement if they deem fit.
Editor's Notes: Under the law, pretrial release violation charges can occur from jail when someone is not on pretrial release but uses the jail phone calls to make illegal contact with an individual.
