Invisible Children Co-Founder Detained

SDPD said he was found masturbating in public, vandalizing cars and possibly under the influence of something

Source: Invisible Children Co-Founder Detained: SDPD | NBC San Diego A co-founder for Invisible Children was detained in Pacific Beach Thursday for being drunk in public and masturbating, according to San Diego Police Department.

Jason Russell, 33, was allegedly found masturbating in public, vandalizing cars and possibly under the influence of something, according to Lt. Andra Brown. He was detained at the intersection of Ingraham Street and Riviera Road.

Brown said Russell was acting very strange.

Police said they received several calls yesterday at 11:30 a.m. of a man in various stages of undress, running through traffic and screaming. Police described him as "in his underwear."

Several people attempted to calm him down and when officers arrived they said he was cooperative.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

PHOTOS
Jason Russell,
Invisible Children in Images

Viral Kony 2012 Campaign Started in San Diego

The same group that sparked a viral humanitarian video was once just a few San Diego friends with a camera they got off of eBay. Steven Luke asked Bob Goff, a Point Loma attorney and Ugandan consul to the United States to weigh in on the issues brought up in the Kony 2012 video created by Invisible Children.

Viral Kony 2012
Campaign Started in San Diego

More Photos and Videos

"He was no problem for the police department however, during the evaluation we learned that we probably needed to take care of him," said Brown at a press conference. "So officers detained him and transferred him to a local medical facility for further evaluation and treatment."

Invisible Children's CEO Ben Keesey released a statement after 1:40 p.m. on Friday saying:

“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.”

Russell is one of the the founders responsible for the "Kony 2012" video that went viral last week. He is described on the organization's website as a co-founder and "our grand storyteller and dreamer." Russell is also described as a Christian and father to two children who wants to have nine more children with his wife he calls his "best friend for over 23 years."

The video "Kony 2012" calls for the capture of the Ugandan LRA leader whose fighting tactic involves kidnapping and torturing the country's innocent children.

Russell spoke with NBCSanDiego explaining how the movement was exploding at the organization's headquarters in San Diego.

"There are hundreds and thousands of propaganda - posters, stickers, buttons, t-shirts, that we are putting in boxes and are shipping all over the world," Russell said in a March 8 interview.

Check back for updates on this story.

K

Source: Invisible Children Co-Founder Detained: SDPD | NBC San Diego