NEW YORK (AP) — An Ohio man has been arrested for throwing a sex toy at a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) game held in New York, according to police reports on Thursday. This incident is part of a disturbing trend of similar occurrences at WNBA games across the United States, resulting in at least three arrests to date.
Charles Burgess, a 32-year-old resident of Dayton, Ohio, was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly hurling an object during the Dallas Wings versus New York Liberty game on August 5. The thrown object struck a 12-year-old girl in the audience, leading to Burgess being charged with two counts of assault. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has retained legal representation.
The trend of throwing sex toys has been noted in several other incidents, with disturbances reported during games in various cities. Notable instances occurred in Atlanta on July 29 and August 1, as well as Los Angeles and Phoenix on August 5. Additionally, there were two such incidents recorded in Chicago on August 1 and August 7.
While some of the sex toys landed on the court and caused game delays, others reached the stands, such as an incident in Phoenix where an 18-year-old was arrested. This individual informed authorities that his actions were intended as a prank inspired by a trend circulating on social media. He disclosed that he had purchased the toy just a day prior to the game. The young man was tackled by an arena volunteer who observed the act and followed him as he attempted to exit the venue.
Law enforcement officials reported that this individual faced charges that included suspicion of assault, disorderly conduct, and publicly displaying explicit sexual material. In a separate case in Georgia, another man was arrested following two incidents involving toy throwings at Atlanta Dream games. According to the police report, he has been charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, public indecency, and indecent exposure. All four charges are classified as misdemeanors in Georgia, where if convicted, a defendant may face a fine of up to $1,000 or jail time of up to 12 months. Convictions for public indecency and indecent exposure could also necessitate registration on the state's sex offender list.
The report indicated that the Georgia man claimed his actions were meant to be a joke intended to go viral. In Los Angeles, a sex toy that landed on the court nearly struck Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, highlighting the reckless nature of these incidents.
League officials have issued a stern warning that anyone caught throwing objects onto the court will be ejected from the arena and subject to a minimum one-year ban from attending WNBA games. The disturbances have also been linked in media reports to a group associated with a related Cryptocurrency meme coin, suggesting an organized effort behind these questionable pranks.
In summary, the rash of disturbances involving sex toys at WNBA games has resulted in serious legal ramifications for multiple individuals. As this trend continues, league officials are taking a firm stance against such behavior to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees.
