Jason Russell, of Invisible Children and most recently KONY 2012 fame, was detained by San Diego Police in Pacific Beach yesterday, on allegations of public intoxication, vandalism, and masturbating in public.
Update: ABC News is reporting: “Several callers reported the male was wearing only underwear and running into the street,” said the statement released by San Diego police spokeswoman Lt. Andra Brown. “One caller reported that the male had removed his underwear and was nude, perhaps masturbating, but that was not confirmed by responding officers. The callers reported the underwear-clad male was in the street, interfering with traffic, screaming, yelling incoherently and pounding his fists on the sidewalk. Several people in the area tried to calm the male but he continued to act in a bizarre and irrational manner.”
TMZ has put out a video of what it claims to be Russell’s “naked meltdown”.
San Diego Police Lietenant Andra Brown told NBC San Diego that Russell, 33, was discovered acting very strangely. Police report receiving calls late yesterday morning complaining of a man screaming and running through traffic “in his underwear.” Russell became cooperative when officers arrived on the scene, and was detained shortly after 11:30 am.
Yesterday’s events occurred not two weeks after Invisible Children’s release of KONY 2012, which calls for the capture and trial of Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, who has earned a reputation as a war criminal for his kidnapping, brainwashing, and torturing children to fill the ranks of his forces.
Russell is described on the Invisible Children website as “a co-founder of Invisible Children, as well as our grand storyteller and dreamer.” He is married and has two young children.
Invisible Children’s CEO, Ben Keesey, released this statement regarding the incident:
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Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Jason’s passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue. We will always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire family privacy during this difficult time.
In this recent video, Russell thanked fans and activists for their support and the viral success of KONY 2012.
News of the event is blowing up my twitterfeed right now. Here’s what some people are saying about #Horny2012.
He’s got invisible children all over his hands now. #Horny2012
#ThatAwakardMoment when you would actually click on a trending topic that reads #Horny2012 (and tweet about it)
You’ll never hear about a Mormon drunkenly masturbating in public. a) We don’t drink. b) We’re eunuchs. #Horny2012
I take full responsibility for #Horny2012 trending worldwide, and I’m updating my resume with this achievement immediately.
“@luvvieig: Lemme find out #HORNY2012 is bout to make Jason Russell’s peen famous so it can be captured to save Americans from themselves
Does this mean everyone is gonna jump on the bandwagon again and there will be millions masturbating in the streets tonight? #Horny2012
Invisible Children patted itself on the back with #Kony2012, but who expected Jason Russell to give himself a hand like this? #Horny2012
I still stand behind Jason Russell, only because standing infront of him would leave stains. #HORNY2012
If you want to donate to #Horny2012 and pay for Jason’s bail, please go to http://t.co/1jOyl22H Together, we can stop public wanking.
We’ll keep you posted as updates become available.
Photo Source: Apolis Global
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