BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A Martin County father and his teenage daughter were arrested last week after confrontations with the principal of Martin County High School.

James Gilman, 51, of Beauty, and his 18-year-old daughter — a student — were taken into custody around 3:30 p.m. April 23 at the school.

Their arrests followed alleged profane and threatening disturbances involving Dr. Michelle Harless, the school’s principal, authorities said.

According to Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff Chris Kidd, the trouble began when Dr. Harless confronted the student for skipping class in the cafeteria. The criminal complaint states the student refused to go to the office and shouted, “[Explicit] you,” at Harless several times. After Harless informed the student that she was calling the sheriff, the student allegedly still refused to move and continued to yell obscenities.

The student now faces a charge of disorderly conduct.

Moments later, the situation escalated when James Gilman arrived at the school. A criminal complaint against him alleges he shouted obscenities at Dr. Harless and acted aggressively toward her. A teacher, Josh Muncy, stepped in to separate the two, and Mr. Gilman reportedly tried to push past him. This prompted fears that Gilman might strike the principal, the complaint states.

“The defendant was slowly backed into the front office while he screamed obscenities loudly,” Deputy Kidd wrote in the complaint. “He slammed his fist on the counter while cursing at Dr. Harless and continued posturing as though he was trying to fight Muncy and Harless.”

Mr. Gilman faces charges of menacing and disorderly conduct.