Wrightsville Beach Police officer arrested

WILMINGTON -- A Wrightsville Beach Police officer is in hot water. He was arrested after assaulting two men outside of a bar. Wilmington Police say it happened in the parking lot of the Dubliner, a pub off of Carolina Beach Road. Wrightsville Beach Police officer Ashley Freeman got into a messy fight with two men over the weekend. Police say late Saturday night freeman got into an argument with the men inside the bar. After management kicked all of them out, authorities say officer freeman attacked Brian Freas, hitting him in the back of his head, throwing him to the ground and punching him in the face and head. Police say Casey Pharr jumped in and tried to pull the officer off of his friend. He was struck as well. Freeman was arrested. Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Bob Simpson says it's unfortunate that one of their own was involved in such an incident. "Officer Freeman is a good police officer. He's a master police officer. He's been with the force for some time. He's respected and is a very capable individual," Simpson said. Officer Freeman has been in trouble before. Several years ago he called in a tip that led to the arrest of former Wilmington City Councilwoman Katherine Moore. He said she'd been drinking, but that same night Moore blew a .00 on a blood alcohol test. Freeman is charged with two counts of simple assault and is suspended, with pay, from the Wrightsville Beach Police Department. Town officials say depending on the outcome of the situation, Freeman could face consequences as severe as dismissal. Police expect to wrap up internal investigations sometime next week.