A Dauphin Island police officer previously praised by town officials is now facing domestic violence charges stemming from incidents reported earlier this summer.
Joshua Randall Paul has been charged with two misdemeanor counts: third-degree domestic violence-harassment and third-degree domestic violence-harassing communications. Both charges were filed Aug. 3, according to court documents. Paul has not been convicted, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The first charge stems from an incident court documents say occurred July 14, when Paul allegedly demanded his wife’s cellphone during an argument, wrapped his arms around her and took the device from her hand. According to the documents, the couple’s young child reportedly witnessed part of the confrontation.
The second charge relates to a July 16 incident. After being asked to stop contact unless it concerned the couple’s child, Paul allegedly sent approximately 59 text messages and made roughly 32 calls or FaceTime calls within about a 30-minute span, according to court records.
A protection-from-abuse petition was filed July 22 in connection with the case, alleging Paul arrived home intoxicated and unannounced on July 14, took the phone and physically restrained the person filing the petition. The petition raised concerns about Paul’s access to firearms and described a pattern of increasingly volatile behavior. It requested temporary custody arrangements, Paul’s removal from the home and restrictions on contact.
Paul’s background had been highlighted by the Town of Dauphin Island as recently as May, when officials noted his eight years of active service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his subsequent role as a platoon sergeant with the Alabama Army National Guard. He began his law enforcement career with the Pell City Police Department in 2012.
Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier confirmed that Paul remains employed by the town’s police department, saying his “status has not changed pending resolution of this issue.”
Court proceedings in the case are ongoing.