Jason Russell Arrested? Co-Founder Of Invisible Children, 'Kony 2012' Creator, Not Charged In San Diego (VIDEO, UPDATE)

Jason Russell, the co-founder of Invisible Children, the advocacy group behind the "Kony 2012" viral video, was detained and taken by police to a medical facility for evaluation on Thursday morning after he was reported to be in his underwear, yelling incoherently and disrupting traffic in a San Diego neighborhood.

Law enforcement officials say there are no charges pending against Russell.

Lt. Andra Brown of the San Diego Police Department told The Huffington Post that a 33-year-old white male was not arrested but "transported to a local medical facility for evaluation and treatment." She would not confirm the identity of the man involved in the incident, but various media outlets report that it was the 33-year-old Russell.

In a statement posted online, Ben Keesey, the CEO of Invisible Children, also confirmed that Russell had been involved in an incident: "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."

Scroll down for Keesey's full statement.

According to the San Diego Police Department, officers responded to reports of a male in his underwear pounding his fists on the sidewalk and yelling incoherently, disrupting traffic in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego. Police said that one caller reported that the man was nude and could have been masturbating, but officers did not confirm that when they arrived.

Scroll down for video of alleged incident. WARNING: Video provided by TMZ contains nudity.

According to TMZ, Russell was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Police also told TMZ that he was vandalizing cars.

Russell created the 30-minute film featuring himself, his son, Gavin, and a former child soldier from Uganda named Jacob. Last week, the film received millions of views and rocketed Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, to fame. However, many were quick to respond with criticisms of the film and the organization's spending practices.

Russell is described on the organization's website as a "grand storyteller and dreamer" who dreams of "redefining the concept of humanitarian work" and having "nine more children" with his wife.

"Kony 2012" has received nearly 100 million views on Vimeo and YouTube.

Updated 6:25 p.m. EDT:

Full statement from Ben Keesey, CEO of Invisible Children:

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.

UPDATE: This post has been updated with more information from the San Diego Police Department.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Lt. Andra Brown as Lt. Andrea Brown. Additionally, based on initial reports, an earlier headline indicated that Mr. Russell was arrested. He was not arrested but rather detained. There are no charges pending.

WARNING: Video contains nudity. Twitter Reactions:

Comments

[ladyalpha13]

12:50 PM on 05/26/2012

Oh my god my name is Andra as well and I get my name screwed up all the time as "Andrea". Lt. Andra, I know how you feel!

[ChristinaTrin]

04:03 PM on 05/10/2012

What we don't know is how far away from the scene this witness actually was- and it is a common theme in witness testimony to produce statements which mirror a witness' expectations. What would you think if you saw a man naked in public? Trying to rationalize his behavior could possibly lead to such a conclusion, without seeing the evidence necessary to be sure. I'd wager the witness was probably freaked out enough not to go closer to ask the guy, or take a good look at his wang. What is for certain, however, is that given past evidence of Mr. Russell's mental state, which is easily described as intelligent and well aware of societal norms and ethical atrocities, it is easy to say that he was clearly not in a sane state of mind at that moment. Any idiot would be able to tell that such a stunt would damage the cause he's poured his life into promoting- hence temporary insanity. Due to what is a different matter however. I'm no expert, but a combination of stress and the strong encouragement of drugs which loose inhibition and promote feelings of extreme confidence and indestructibility seem likely here. He is also posturing, not 'sexually' as someone earlier purported, but in a sort of primal display- telling more of aggression than anything else. Still, rumors spread like wildfire and our obsession with sexual debauchery as a society will serve as more than enough kindling.

[soniaiberte]

01:52 AM on 04/28/2012

wow, now that is some bad acid!

[Keith James Colleran]

05:41 AM on 04/22/2012

Exhaustion does not make you snap your turtle in public.

[dbrett480]

05:57 PM on 04/01/2012

Has there been any updates as to Russell's condition?

[Jack Boats]

03:42 PM on 03/28/2012

Malaquin

[silsez]

03:23 PM on 03/24/2012

"Exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition" caused him to have a breakdown, strip and perform lewd acts upon himself in public and he was taken to a hospital. I have to wonder how this same scenario would have played out had he been an "exhausted, dehydrated, malnourished" conservative?

[Cassandrawept]

07:46 PM on 04/29/2012

Temporary insanity of an undetermined cause. Happens to people of all kinds. The worst is a brain tumor. The best? Anything you get over.

[Trev-Rock]

10:35 PM on 03/20/2012

From the close up TMZ video it looks like he may need to watch some "It gets better" videos.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/03/18/jason-russell-video-naked-meltdown-kony/

[TammAramat]

05:12 PM on 03/20/2012

Let me get this straight: Man starts movement (that some in govt/politicians don't like)...he is taped while on drugs butt naked outdoors...(not sure if it's mast....tion) but you have 1 witness and there is speculation (through the grapevine) that the maste...tion is not on tape...could be on tape...depends. (sigh...)
I'd love to hear to whole story for once.

Man who started movement to save African children is now under question about the authenticity of his organization. (Sigh...)

I'm not saying I don't believe it-Im just saying I don't trust any of it. The children still suffer after all the YouTube commotion. And don't give me that "there are horrible crimes against humanity being committed all over the world" crap. Duh...that shouldn't change the importance of that particular movement.
The guy had a great idea...it's sad if it doesn't inspire a change for those children.

[Mz Kari]

02:27 PM on 03/20/2012

You know, if it took a youtube video (however inaccurate) to make people aware that atrocities, genocides, rapes and slavery are taking place in Africa....sigh. I don't know what to say.
I guess....DUH??!! I mean, I'm glad they raised some sort of awareness for the people. Are they a credible organization? Not from what I have read. I don't really care who they fund (politically), just that ANY money donated to them was used in a misleading, non-effective way! USE the money given to change what you tell people their money is going to change!!!
What really baffles me is there are stories about horrible crimes against humanity being committed on every continent in the world!! Do we have to see a battered child in a video to react? And even if you say "yes" to that....you've seen things like this on 20/20, Nightline, etc. What about this Kony campaign has people sooooo enamored? I'd rather watch a video, show, documentary (or read about) a TRUE, GENUINE way we can help those in need. Everywhere. All this "aid" we talk about sending goes to corrupt governments. No "charity points" there, folks. What REALLY can be done?

[TXCiclista]

02:48 PM on 03/20/2012

Well said (written)

[Mz Kari]

03:21 PM on 03/20/2012

Thank you :)

[VivPotts]

06:41 AM on 03/21/2012

Invisible Children IS LEGIT and has been made good progress on this very complex problem. Most other organizations (including the Coalition to Stop Child Soldiers, a successful UK group) also focus on awareness and like IC, donations are mainly invested in that purpose.
IC runs very differently than past non-profits and has broken the mold by using successful business tactics with an energetic and fun campaign that has captured the attention of millions of young people across the world. The critics I read oversimplified, left out facts, and used generalizations. They criticized the method, but offer no other solutions. I had to research what they didn’t.
IC, along with the Resolve Campaign, GuluWalk, Human Rights Watch, and World Vision, lobbied the US government for years to take action. It took a few years to rally enough people to make Washington do something. This was achieved mainly through media arts, so they continued improving on that.
They’ve worked through incredible changes, including civil war, South Sudan becoming a nation, and the end of SPLA using child soldiers in their own army. (Yep, the gov't used child soldiers too!) They’ve developed necessary relations with the powerful figures in the region~ regardless of their views on homosexuality, their religion, or anything that wasn’t imperative to the their efforts.
They’ve empowered average people to make a difference in a positive way. Jason’s breakdown was disturbing. But, the movement isn't about him. The organization seems pretty solid and focused. They'll keep moving forward, regardless.

[Mz Kari]

11:23 AM on 03/22/2012

Thanks so much for the info. I still need to do further research on my own to determine if they are an organization I can (personally) trust with the money I send.

I agree that the Kony 2012 movement isn't about Jason. I do wish him the best and feel bad about his breakdown (and whatever is behind it). However, he is going to be scrutinized because he was the face of the movement and looked at as a leader. Just goes with the territory. I don't believe there's any "conspiracy" to "shut him up" as some are suggesting.
If the IC is who they say they are, I pray for their continued success.

[Bruno Cesar Jr]

12:05 PM on 03/20/2012

DRUNK PEOPLE DOESN'T HAVE THE ENERGY TO MASTURBATE, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO FOCUS OR THEY'LL PASSED OUT SOMEWHERE. COCAINE IS A HELL OF A DRUGS

[Bruno Cesar Jr]

12:02 PM on 03/20/2012

SORRY TMZ .THAT IS NOT ALCOHOL BEHAVIOR. TELL THE TRUTH. MAN WAS ON DRUGS, METH OR COCAINE. IF IT WAS A BLACK STAR YOU'LL MAKE SURE TO SAY DRUGS SO MUCH BIAS IN THE MEDIA.

[Cassandrawept]

07:50 PM on 04/29/2012

With a political person it could also be drugged by someone else. And then there are all the other causes, even brain tumors. With Whitney Houston it could have been drugs but it was probably tripping in the shower, hitting her head and taking that first breath of water. That breath of water can cause a paralysis of the lungs and/or a heart attack. If it wasn't the Kony guy my first inclination would be drugs, black or white. But brain tumors are a very close second.

[Xira]

02:16 AM on 03/20/2012

Here how a fascist country(such as Amerika) works folks...

If you do something the government does not approve of, such as fouling up our forging policy in Zimbabwe or wherever the hell Kony is, they tell a couple of cops to tail and arrest you.

The cops do it.

Then they smear you up and down the wall with the arrest and/or prosecution.

This guy is lucky he only mildly pissed them off, he could be facing kiddy porn charges after all!

[Mz Kari]

01:36 PM on 03/20/2012

Do they strip your clothes off and force you to yell, vandalize cars and block traffic as well?

[TXCiclista]

02:50 PM on 03/20/2012

Sounds like someone's unhappy that they got arrested by the cops...

[Xira]

03:22 PM on 03/20/2012

Actually I've a completely pristine record, thanks. I'm just stating facts. I also don't like being told what to do by the government, and resent them for their power over every minuta of my life.

[Roberto Profuncto]

11:39 PM on 03/19/2012

Thank God I watched this very educational video, since now I know (by the powers of observation) how it's (mast**bation) done. Although it does look somewhat violent, I'm going home tonight and attempting this in the privacy of my own home:
1. get naked
2. spread my feet about 4'
3. pound violently on the gound

[outnow]

11:46 AM on 03/20/2012

In the 911 tapes, an independent witness called police to report that the defendant was vandalizing cars and masterbating. The videos didn't capture that, or was edited it out. We bloggers were not there, I presume, so the witness, whose identity is know to the police was. 911 tapes contain the telephone numbers and names of witnesses who report.

You may request a copy of the 911 tapes under the Public Records Act and contact the witness directly yourself. You can then cross-examine the witness to determine if the witness was being truthful. From what I saw on the tapes, there was a sexual theme being presented by this "hero" in his body language. I cannot tell if you are being sarcastic and, like many others, are denying the masturbation part since a good Christian "would never do THAT in public.

If the defendant had fought trench warfare during WW I for four years, he might have "shell shock." I suspect drugs, however.

I lived in that neighborhood for many years and was by there visiting last weekened. We don't have too many missionairies there so It's hard to profile this guy exactly.

[YakittyGirl]

09:34 PM on 03/19/2012

I haven't seen an update for 24 hours. Is he still confined on a 51-50?

[outnow]

11:48 AM on 03/20/2012

72-hour holds, then you go before a referee. The hold may be extended in the discretion of the refereee or with the consent of the defendant. He's probably still at Aurora Mental Health.

I believe that the Devil drugged him. Satan often does that.

[TXCiclista]

02:51 PM on 03/20/2012

That Satan. Such a tricky b*stard.