From Staff Reports

Asheville City Council candidate Jonathan Wainscott was charged June 19 with assault by shoving and throwing firecrackers and shoes, less than three weeks after he was charged with violating a domestic violence protective order.

Wainscott, a 44-year-old East West Asheville neighborhood activist, is facing two misdemeanor charges stemming from a June 17 incident involving himself and people who were renting from him.

Police said Wainscott shoved one man and threw firecrackers and shoes at another.

The man identifying himself as a tenant said the incident happened in their residence.

Wainscott is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 4.

Wainscott also ran for council two years ago and gained notoriety during a 2013 shouting match with Councilman Cecil Bothwell that went viral. The confrontation — over the siting of New Belgium Brewery — happened at a West Asheville Business Association candidate forum, with the two calling each other liars.

Earlier in June, Wainscott was taken into custody at 10:15 p.m. June 2 at his home at 18 Reynolds Road, charged with the protective order violation and cyberstalking, according to an arrest report.

He was released the next day after posting a $14,000 bond.

While Asheville police made the arrest, warrants for the charges were issued by the Raleigh Police Department.

Wainscott is accused of violating a protective order that was issued March 2 by Wake County District Court Judge Ned Mangum, “by sending emails directly to the subject in the 50B order and to her immediate family,” according to the warrant.

The cyberstalking charge alleges Wainscott has “repeatedly” contacted the victim “by email, and indirectly by social media, with the intent to intimidate the victim and her family,” according to the warrant.

The alleged incidents happened May 29, according to warrants.

Wainscott also was charged in early May with violating the March protective order. 

In a social media posting, Wainscott said he had not intentionally contacted the recipient, his wife.

In his current campaign for a council seat, Wainscortt has said he will promote affordable housing and marijuana decriminalization.