Invisible Children Co-Founder Detained For Alleged Public Masturbation
Jason Russell, 33, was allegedly found masturbating in public, vandalizing cars and possibly under the influence of something, Lt. Andra Brown told NBC.
“Due to the nature of the detention, he was not arrested,” Brown said at a press conference. “During the evaluation we learned we probably needed to take him to a medical facility because of statements he was saying.”
The San Diego Police Department said they received several calls Thursday at 11:30 a.m. of a man in various stages of undress, NBC reported. The man was running through traffic and screaming. He allegedly removed his underwear but had it back on when officers arrived.
“Kony 2012” is a video that recently went viral with nearly 80 million views. It calls for the capture of Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony.
According to Invisible Children’s website, Russell is married and the father of two children.
NBC reported that the organization’s CEO, Ben Keesey, released a statement Friday afternoon, saying Russell was hospitalized for exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition.
“He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better,” the statement read. “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.”
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Reach executive producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.