“Out of control fans” are what May ISD superintendent called the situation at a May basketball game Tuesday evening that led to the arrest of a father and his son.

According to Sheriff Bobby Grubbs, around 8:30pm Tuesday, the Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a call from May ISD superintendent  requesting a deputy to respond to the May basketball game due to some of the visiting fans becoming out of control.

BCSO Deputies James Stroope and Kelly Marsh responded to the game and observed a member of the Baird basketball team yelling profanities Grubbs said.  According to BCSO officials, deputies tried to talk to the player, identified as 18-year-old William Preston Russell, while a coach took him into the locker room.  The player was cursing and began hitting things on the way to the locker room where deputies followed the report states.

Grubbs stated that while deputies were speaking to the player, his father, 60-year-old William Jerry Russell, attempted to prevent the deputies from speaking to his son.  After being advised that his interference was against the law and that the deputies were attempting to help calm the situation, the father continued to persist according to Grubbs.

Grubbs said that deputies began to place William Jerry Russell under arrest for Interference with Public Duties of a Peace Officer when William Preston Russell, in defense of his father, tried to strike one of the deputies.  Both father and son were placed under arrest.

William Jerry Russell was charged with Interference with Public Duties of a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest.  William Preston Russell was arrested for Interference with Public Duties of a Peace Officer, Assault on a Public Servant (a felony) and Disorderly Conduct.

After being transported to the Brown County Jail, William Jerry Russell complained of chest pains and was taken to the Brownwood Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released.  Both individuals remain in custody at the Brown County Jail as of early Wednesday afternoon.

“It is unfortunate that law enforcement intervention was required at a high school sporting event, but our deputies responded in a professional manner and handled the situation in a way that met law enforcement guidelines and meets with my approval,” stated Sheriff Grubbs.

Other reports and arrests released Tuesday, February 8th and Wednesday, February 9th:

Monday, January 31

*10:00am- A Brownwood Police officer, while on duty at Brownwood High School, was approached by a complainant regarding his school issued laptop computer having been stolen.  An investigation is underway.  At the time of the report, there was no suspect (s) identified in the theft.

Monday, February 7

*8:52am-A Brownwood Police officer received a lost wallet from HPU security who had located it in the 1000 block of Center.  The wallet was placed into the evidence room for safe keeping.

*4:17pm-Brownwood Police were called to the 1400 block of Austin Avenue, Brookshires, regarding a theft that had occurred.  A male subject was identified and issued a citation for Class C Theft.

Tuesday, February 8

*Brownwood Police arrested Miguel Angel Lara for Driving While License Invalid and for two outstanding Brown County warrants.

*Brown County Sheriff’s Office received a report of forgery that had occurred.  The complainant explained that a collection agency had sent her a letter in efforts to collect a debt for a check that was written for $453.45 on a closed account.  This account had been closed since 2009 and the complainant had not written the check and had no knowledge of the check.  The check was allegedly used at a Wal-Mart in the Dallas area; however the collection agency could not produce a copy of the check due to not having a copy of the check in their office according to the report.  The complainant contacted the bank where the account had been located and was told that the bank had no record of the check.   A report was filed and the complainant was directed to contact Telecheck for a copy of the check.