Charles Larkin Cowart, the 42-year-old West Flagler resident known as Skeeter, spent a decade and a half until 2018 in and out of jail, often resulting from bizarre behavior–drunkenly riding a horse through Bunnell, painting himself blue and allegedly burglarizing a house (the charge was dropped), stealing flags in several cities–until his recovery from substance use began that year. He had no run-ins with the law since.
Last Wednesday (Nov. 12), Cowart was back in jail facing three felony charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after allegedly splitting with an axe the door to his apartment where a teenage boy–his wife’s son–was staying, and allegedly nearly striking another man with his car. But the arrest report by Bunnell police may be problematic.
Cowart, who described himself as an unemployed pastor, posted bail on $40,000 bond and was released. On Nov. 14, he filed for divorce from DLC, his wife of six months. He reported in a court filing that he had no “related” cases pending in court, though one of the charges relates to his wife, and a no-contact court order names his wife as one of the two victims. But there may be issues with the police report naming the wife as a victim.
The Nov. 12 incident took place at the Palm Pointe apartment complex off East Moody Boulevard (State Road 100) in Bunnell, where, according to his arrest report, he was living with his wife and her son. That day Cowart and his wife had been arguing about a co-worker and mentor of his. DLC went to work. When she returned, she found that Cowart had cleared his belongings from the apartment. She texted him. He said he’d be returning there.
As DLC was accompanying one of her children’s friends home, she ran into Cowart in the apartment complex’s parking lot and told him she’d be right back.
According to a witness whose name is redacted from the arrest report–presumably the juvenile who was in the apartment–Cowart struck the steel entry door twice with an axe, making two gashes “that penetrated completely through the steel door,” the report states, faintly evoking a scene from a movie three years older than Cowart. Cowart had been calling for DLC. The juvenile let him inside. Once inside, Cowart struck a painting with the axe, went into a bedroom, and struck a wall-mounted television with the axe.
The property controller at the complex told authorities the damage to the door amounted to $800. He also said that he saw Cowart holding an axe as he got in his car, then drive off. As Cowart drove away, he allegedly almost ran into another man, an accusation his wife denies, saying he was driving straight out of the complex. According to the arrest report, DLC “was fearful as a result of the incident,” but she declined to pursue charges against her husband.
Cowart was arrested by Bunnell police officers, who investigated the case. The arrest report makes no mention of surveillance video or corroborating evidence regarding Cowart allegedly nearly hitting the other man with his car, nor does it name the juvenile as a victim. The report charges that damage from criminal mischief amounts to more than $1,000, thus crossing the threshold of mischief from misdemeanor to felony. But the damage to property not belonging to Cowart appears to be limited to $800, based on the property controller’s report, while the damage inside the house may be considered self-inflicted, since Cowart and his wife lived there: restitution would be to himself.
Reports of this sort tend to give pause to the State Attorney’s Office before it files an information ratifying the charges.
Cowart was booked at the Flagler County jail late the evening of Nov. 12. He bonded out the morning of Nov. 13.
My two cents says
Charles is a good person and this article does not mention that the spouse stated she saw Charles driving and did not think he was intentionally trying to hit anyone on the way out of the complex. Furthermore, I think the Bunnell police did a poor job of investigating and the charges are extreme.
Charles is best when he’s left to his own world. He was helping prisoners and drug abusers and doing a good job at it. I don’t know what happened here, but these charges are out of line as felonies.
Erod says
“I don’t know what happened here, but these charges are out of line as felonies.”
If you don’t know what happened how can you make that statement ?
Thumper says
Comments like the above show how compassionate people can get when they either know some one or can relate to them. This is how Jurys and public opinion usually work. Privilege is when you don’ have to care what anybody says or thinks that doesn’t look like you, especially when those that look like you are in charge. You’re leaving out the fact that ole Skeeter mise well been auditioning for “The Shining” part 2 by slinging around that ax.
Disgusted in Flagler County says
I truly wish the best for him and his wife. I have personally witnessed the good things they have done to turn their lives around and to help this community. Sending prayers and hope.
JimboXYZ says
I guess 2025 is as good a time to start a new streak for walking a straight line for Skeeter ?
Jenn Jenn says
This man comes from a very nice family and I’m so impressed that he has been able to turn his life around in positive ways. His wife is standing beside him and supporting the truth and it appears that a family dispute got out of hand and quite embellished by law enforcement. If it were not for his past behaviors the story would not be in the news. I hope he stays on the his path of recovery and God bless him.
Take a good look says
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Skeeter has been a ticking time bomb for years. I’ve known him very well for many many years. I anticipated it was just a matter of time before something like this happened as SADLY he has NOT been engaged in “true” and “wholistic” recovery based living from the get go. Any successful long term recovery from alcohol/substance addiction involves INTERNAL change and not just SUPERFICIAL actions or behaviors. Appearances as we all know can be deceiving…. But only for so long. TRUE recovery also requires diligence in STEP WORK and not skipping out on some of those vital steps (such as in Skeeters case taking full accountability of his actions and making amends to others). Extremely vital!!! Which he has yet to do. Please friends and family members who want to help. DO NOT continue to engage in this DENIAL and ENABLING behaviors as it benefits no one! Sometimes it takes several tries but YES it will work if he is REALLY truthful and honest about all aspects of himself and his life. Skeeter is not a changed man but he very well could be. Praying for healing for Skeeter and ALL other family members affected by his ongoing issues.
Ricky says
I think it’s a conflict of interest that the chief did the jail bailed him out