TAMPA, FL - A Hillsborough Circuit judge released Brian Blair, the former pro wrestler and Hillsborough County commissioner, on his own recognizance, following his arrest on child abuse charges. Blair allegedly got into a scuffle with his two teenage boys on Father's Day.
Blair, 52, was arrested at his home on North Boulevard shortly after 5 am on Sunday, and booked into the Orient Road Jail at 12:45 p.m, jail records show.
According to Hillsborough Sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon, Blair got into an argument with his two teen-aged sons that turned physical.
Blair's arrest report gives the the following account of what happened:
Shortly before 4 am on Sunday, Blair pushed his 17-year-old son, Brett, in the chest. When Brett tried to walk away, Blair grabbed him, punched him in the face with a closed fist, leaving a mark and some swelling.
He then put the teen in a choke hold, causing him to have difficulty breathing. He then turns to his 12 year old son Bradley, grabbing him by the throat, and punching him in the head, leaving a mark.
The arrest report does not say what started the fight.
The former professional wrestler stands 6 feet tall and weighs 235 pounds, according to his booking information. His build is described as "muscular" in the arrest report.
Blair ran his political campaigns on a family values, law and order platform. His wife, Toni, declined to comment. Blair has been charged with two counts of child abuse/domestic violence, both third-degree felonies.
Blair was elected to the Hillsborough County commission in 2004, but lost a re-election bid in 2008 to Kevin Beckner.
