Council member faces warrant
Peabody official accused of drunken domestic battery
Staff writer
The sheriff’s department is seeking a warrant for Peabody city councilman Jay Gfeller after investigating an alleged domestic battery.
Deputies responded to a call June 25 from Gfeller’s wife.
The Gfellers operate a massage therapy from a building in downtown Peabody that also appears to be their residence.
Gfeller’s wife, telephoning from another residence, reported that she was injured there.
Her injuries appeared minor, according to a criminal offense report. The report indicates Gfeller had been drinking at the time.
Undersheriff Larry Starkey said the incident began as an argument, then escalated.
“She didn’t go to the hospital as far as I know,” Starkey said.
Starkey said deputies couldn’t find Gfeller, 38, to arrest him.
“He was not arrested that night, so we’re going to get a warrant for him,” Starkey said. “We make sure the victim is safe. She should have been given information on how to get a protection order and other needed resources.”
Under state law, officers who investigate a domestic battery and have reason to believe one family member has struck the other must make an arrest.
A report of the incident was sent to the county attorney’s office for possible charges against Gfeller and to district court to support a request for a warrant.
County attorney Joel Ensey was not in the office last week and had not reviewed the report as of Monday.