Fireman jailed in domestic dispute

A Pasco County firefighter who had been drinking was arrested on a domestic battery charge Monday morning after he threw a wad of cash at his wife and threatened the arresting deputy, authorities said.

Robert Henry Smith, 43, and his wife returned home from Club Envy, a Tampa nightclub, and owed $116.30 for cab fare, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

Smith's wife had given the cabdriver $7 after they arrived home Monday and went inside the house to get the rest of the money sometime after 2 a.m., deputies said.

The cabdriver contacted authorities after the couple did not return to pay the remainder of the fare. She also reported that Smith had been verbally abusive to his wife and struck her twice during the cab ride, according to an arrest report.

A deputy entered the house, advised both Smith and his wife that they needed to pay the fare or would be arrested, at which time Smith acted aggressively toward his wife and told her, "I'll give you the money, ...but we are getting a divorce and I want you out of my house," authorities said.

He threw a wad of cash at his wife in front of the deputy, according to the report.

Smith later pointed his finger at the deputy and told him to leave.

The deputy, who called for backup, also noticed firearms in Smith's bedroom, he reported.

Assistant Chief Mike Ciccarello confirmed Smith has been a firefighter with Pasco County Fire Rescue since October 2006.

He said he has been a good employee with no disciplinary complaints on his record. He remains employed with the agency because he was charged only with a misdemeanor, Ciccarello said.

The couple's two children, ages 15 and 13, were in the house at the time of the arrest and were interviewed by deputies, according to the sheriff's office.

One of the children said she frequently has to miss school because of her parents' drinking habits, deputies said.

The Department of Children & Families was contacted.

Because Smith threw cash at his wife and displayed threatening behavior toward her and the deputy, he was arrested on a charge of domestic battery, according to the report.

Smith was transported to Hernando County Jail. He was still in jail Tuesday. No bail had been set.