Dunedin School Crossing Guard Arrested After Dispute

DUNEDIN, FL — A 63-year-old Dunedin man was jailed Sunday night after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say a family dispute at his home became heated.

Deputies say David J. Dufresne was brought into custody around 10:14 p.m. Sunday following an argument with his step-daughter, Christine Pletz, 44. Dufresne is a school crossing guard in Pinellas County. He was hired by the sheriff’s office in November 2011.

The argument that led to Dufresne’s arrest started out with a verbal confrontation between the two, the sheriff’s office wrote in an email to media. As some point during the dispute, Dufresne is accused of going into his bedroom and getting his gun. Dufresne, the email said, then went to Pletz’s bedroom and fired a round toward the dresser.

Pletz was not injured, but did call 911. Deputies say Dufresne also called 911.

Deputies responded to the home and charged Dufresne with aggravated assault with a firearm, a felony. The argument, the sheriff’s office said, pertained to living arrangements.

Dufresne was being held in the Pinellas County Jail Monday without bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

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