Charlotte High assistant principal arrested for DUI and drug charges

An assistant principal at Charlotte High School was arrested early Saturday morning for multiple charges, including DUI with property damage and possession of controlled substances.

The incident involved Nicholas Brown, who is still listed on the school's website.

According to the arrest report from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a witness reported a gray Honda driving recklessly, swerving across the road and hitting a median sign. Deputies responded near Gasparilla Road and Marathon Boulevard in Port Charlotte. They found a car matching the description, with visible damage and a missing front bumper.

Deputies said the driver identified himself as Brown and stated he was an assistant principal at Charlotte High School and worked at the Gasparilla Inn as a bartender at night. Brown admitted to having one drink initially then said had "more drinks than he should have" after his shift.

Deputies noted in the arrest report that Brown smelled strongly of alcohol even outside his car and struggled with tasks during the field sobriety test. Deputies also reported that Brown incorrectly stated the time as an hour earlier than it actually was.

Brown was arrested for DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. Deputies also found a THC vape cartridge, leading to a charge of possession of a prescription drug without a prescription, a third-degree felony.

When taken to be booked, Brown initially refused a breathalyzer test but agreed the second time. His breath test results were .189 and .181, both over double the legal limit.

WINK News reached out to the Charlotte County Public School District but has not yet received a response regarding if Brown will return to school or face disciplinary action.

Brown's history with DUI is not new. In 2018, he pleaded no contest to a DUI charge, resulting in a six-month license suspension, nine months of probation, completion of DUI school, and 50 hours of community service.