Lawrence Mitchell, the husband of St. Martinville Mayor Melinda Mitchell, was arrested Friday for violating a protective order St. Martinville District 2 Councilman Craig Prosper filed against him hours earlier.

According to St. Martin Parish Jail records, Lawrence Mitchell was booked into the facility shortly after 9 p.m. and immediately posted $2,000 bond.

The arrest is the latest move in what has been a turbulent and contentious transfer of power in St. Martinville. Melinda Mitchell defeated former Mayor Thomas Nelson last spring, but has faced strong opposition to some of her proposals from the incumbent council members and legal setbacks from the state Attorney General’s Office.

The restraining order was issued Friday morning in the 16th Judicial District Court. It prevents Lawrence Mitchell from coming within 1,000 feet of Prosper, his home or place of business, which includes the St. Martinville City Hall because of his position on the city council.

Lawrence Mitchell went to city hall shortly after the order was issued, immediately violating it. Prosper filed a complaint with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office to have the order enforced.

Prosper said it was an argument between he and the mayor that led Lawrence Mitchell to make threats against Prosper, which formed the basis for the restraining order. According to Prosper,  Lawrence Mitchell cursed and threatened him over the phone with the St. Martinville police chief present, saying “I will ******* kill you!”

A previous request for a peace bond against Lawrence Mitchell last month was not granted, leading Prosper to seek the restraining order in state court.

A criminal complaint against Lawrence Mitchell for misdemeanor simple assault in the initial incident is still pending.