Fmr Arizona Dem candidate accused of storming into ex's home with knife, tape, blames 'misunderstanding'
A former Arizona Democratic congressional candidate was arrested after allegedly forcing entry into an ex-partner's home with a knife and tape, then telling police the confrontation was a "misunderstanding" over a BDSM scene the victim denies ever agreeing to, according to court documents.
Phoenix police responded to a call on July 10 at 6 p.m. from a woman who said her ex-partner, Brianna Westbrook, had come to the door, and that she opened it believing it was her son, according to court documents. Instead, she found Westbrook holding a knife in one hand and black tape in the other, the documents state. The two wrestled until Westbrook pushed the victim onto a couch and told her "not to move," with the victim to begin screaming, police said.
Westbrook is a transgender rights activist and was a former vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
The screaming brought the victim's sister into the room, at which point Westbrook, with a knife, allegedly made a lunging motion toward both women. According to the court documents, the victim pleaded with Westbrook to stop, saying her son would likely be home soon. Westbrook then ran out of the house.
Officers went to Westbrook's residence, where the suspect said the whole thing was a "big misunderstanding" and that Westbrook and the victim were into BDSM.
Westbrook admitted going to the individual's house armed with a knife and duct tape, but claimed the scene was mutually planned, saying "the victim and her agreed on the scene through subliminal messages they exchanged on Instagram."
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Westbrook also claimed the two had "agreed to re-enact a scene where Westbrook scares the victim to help her deal with prior childhood trauma of abuse," according to court documents.
LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST
"Westbrook was given the subliminal message on Instagram that the victim was ready ... to start the scene. Westbrook admitted to going over to the residence with a knife, knocking on the door, entering the residence while armed with a fake knife and tape," police said in the probable cause statement. "Westbrook said she told the victim to sit on the couch. The witness then exited out of her room, interrupting the scene. Westbrook then left the residence."
LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE
However, the victim told police she never agreed to "re-creating" the BDSM scene.
Westbrook was charged with felony third-degree burglary and aggravated assault using a simulated deadly weapon, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
A release questionnaire for Westbrook's arrest also obtained by Fox News Digital shows that police checked boxes stating that the suspect has a history of domestic violence, noting that the "frequency/intensity" of such incidents has been increasing.
A preliminary hearing for Westbrook is scheduled for Monday.
Fox News Digital reached out to Westbrook for comment.