Name: Man arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policy
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Man arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policy

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AdvertisementMan arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policyHide TranscriptShow TranscriptAND TONIGHT WE'RE SEEING THE POLICE BODY CAM FOOTAGE. HERE'S 4029S EMMA CLAYBROOK. &lt;&gt; 30-YEAR-OLD SETH PITTS FROM LINCOLN, ARKANSAS TRIED TO ENTER THE FOOTBALL GAME THROUGH THIS GATE (I'll be near gate 16 where this all happened) ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST WITHOUT WEARING A FACE COVERING. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RAZORBACKS SPORTING EVENTS...BUT PITTS TOLD OFFICERS HE HAD ATTENDED THREE FOOTBALL GAMES EARLIER THIS YEAR WHERE HE DIDN'T WEAR A MASK. WE'RE SHOWING YOU SOME OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS POLICE BODY CAMERA VIDEO...BUT THERE IS MORE THAN AN HOUR OF VIDEO RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. IN THIS VIDEO RELEASED TODAY TO 40/29 NEWS... YOU CAN SEE PITTS ARGUING WITH U-A-P-D CORPORAL RYAN BARBER ABOUT THE MASK POLICY. - "You're not going in without a mask" "This is the fourth game I've been to and I haven't worn a mask at the other three. So...I'm going in." "Nope. You're going to get criminally trespassed if you don't follow the rules." "Well, I have a ticket. So, I'm allowed to come in." PITTS THEN TELLS THE OFFICER HE'LL WEAR A MASK INTO THE GAME IF HE IS PROVIDED A MASK. "If you're going to be stubborn, if you're going to be a hardaáá about it then give me a mask." "You're being stubborn about it sir everyone else is complying. Why do I have to give you a mask? If you follow the rules like everyone else, you come prepared for the game." ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT...AT THIS POINT A STADIUM EMPLOYEE GIVES PITTS A MASK AND HE WALKS INTO THE GAME. BUT BARBER SAYS HE WATCHES PITTS WALK INTO THE BATHROOM IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND SEES HIM WALK BACK OUT WITHOUT THE MASK ON. BARBER THEN CONFRONTS PITTS IN A STAIRWELL AND EXPLAINS TO HIM HE WILL BE GETTING EJECTED FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH THE MASK POLICY. "You're being ejected. I'm ejecting him out now." PITTS ARGUES WITH THE OFFICERS FOR A FEW MINUTES AND REFUSES TO GIVE THEM HIS IDENTIFICATION. "Listen, you asked me to wear a mask. I did. I walked past you." "And then you went to the bathroom and took it off and started walking around." "You asked me to put it back on and I put it back on now." "I'm about to criminally trespass you from the stadium because you can't follow the rules that we've put in place that everyone else is following right now except for you." "I'm the only one not wearing a mask?" "You are the only one that's causing problems right now. I need your ID. This is the last time I'm asking for it. Or you will leave in cuffs." "I'm going to be arrested because?" "What did I just tell you?" "You can't arrest me I'm standing here with my mask on." "Give me your ID." OFFICERS THEN PUT PITTS IN HANDCUFFS AND LEAD HIM OUT OF THE STADIUM WHERE THEY GET HIS I-D OUT OF HIS POCKET. "Seth Pitts" CAPTAIN GARY CRAIN WITH U-A-P-D SAYS PITTS IS FACING CHARGES OF CRIMINAL TRESPASSING, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AND OBSTRUCTING GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS. "keep in mind that he was not arrested for not having a face covering. But he was arrested for his behavior and the face covering, the lack there of, just simply attracted the attention of staff members and police all around him. at any point he could have just left. he was being ejected but he refused to leave also." AND PITTS WAS TAKEN TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY JAIL...BUT BECAUSE OF COVID-19 CAPACITIES HE WAS NOT BOOKED AND WAS RELEASED WITH A CITATION ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HE APPEARS IN COURT ON JANUARY 8TH 2021 TO FACE HIS CHARGES. WE REACHED OUT TO PITTS FOR A COMMENT...HE DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT HIS ATTORNEY SENT US THIS STATEMENT SAYING, IN PART...QUOTE "Seth attended each of the three prior 2020 home games without wearing a mask, without issue. While attending those games he noticed law enforcement, medical personnel, large groups of patrons, and event staff members who were not wearing masks, or not wearing them correctly, leading Seth to believe the mask requirement was a suggestion. Again, it is too early to go into the specifics of the interactions between Seth and the UAPD, however, it is important to note that Seth never intended to garner this much negative attention. " PITTS' ATTORNEY SAYS HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN RAZORBACKS SEASON TICKET HOLDERS FOR 41 YEARS AND THAT PITTS IS A LOVING FATHER, HUSBAND AND FAMILY MAN. PITTS IS BANNED FROM THE U OF A PROPERTY AND FROM ALL UNIVERSITY SANCTIONED EVENTS FOR ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT AT THEAdvertisementMan arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policyUAPD arrested a man they say was not complying with face covering rules at the Nov. 21 University of Arkansas football game. Seth Pitts, 30, of Lincoln, Arkansas, tried to enter the football game without wearing a face covering. Capt. Gary Crain with UAPD said Pitts is facing charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental operations. Body camera footage from UAPD showed Pitts arguing with Cpl. Ryan Barber about the mask policy. "This is the fourth game I've been to and I haven't worn a mask at the other three," Pitts said in the video. Pitts then told Cpl. Barber he would wear a mask into the game if he was provided a face covering."If you're going to be stubborn about it, then give me a mask," Pitts said in the video. Cpl. Barber replied, "You're being stubborn about it, sir. Everyone else is complying. Why do I have to give you a mask? If you follow the rules like everyone else, you come prepared for the game."According to the police report, a stadium employee gave Pitts a mask and he walked into the game.Cpl. Barber said he watched Pitts walk into the bathroom immediately once he went inside and he saw Pitts walk back out without the mask on. Cpl. Barber confronted Pitts in a stairwell and explained to him that he would get ejected for not complying with the mask policy. Video showed Pitts arguing with UAPD officers for several minutes and refusing to give the officers his identification. Officers then put Pitts in handcuffs and led him out of the stadium where they got his ID out of his pocket. Capt. Crain said Pitts could have left the stadium without being arrested if he would have left when officers asked him to. "Keep in mind that he was not arrested for not having a face covering, but he was arrested for his behavior. The face covering, or the lack there of, just simply attracted the attention of staff members and police all around him. At any point, he could have just left. He was being ejected, but he refused to leave," Capt. Crain said. Pitts was taken to the Washington County Jail, but because of COVID-19 capacities, he was not booked and was released with a citation with the understanding that he appears in court on Jan. 8, 2021 to face his charges. 40/29 News reached out to Pitts for a comment. He declined an interview, but his attorney, Jay Moore, sent this statement:"Thanks for reaching out. It is very premature for us to comment in detail regarding the case as Mr. Pitts and I have requested the body camera videos in their entirety but do not yet have them in our possession. That being said, its important to note that Mr. Pitts does understand the University’s policy regarding masks. Seth and his family have been Razorback donors and season ticket holders for forty-one (41) consecutive years and Seth loves nothing more than cheering on the Hogs.Seth attended each of the three prior 2020 home games without wearing a mask, without issue. While attending those games he noticed law enforcement, medical personnel, large groups of patrons, and event staff members who were not wearing masks, or not wearing them correctly, leading Seth to believe the mask requirement was a suggestion. Again, it is too early to go into the specifics of the interactions between Seth and the UAPD, however, it is important to note that Seth never intended to garner this much negative attention. Just last year, Seth and his brothers were named Washington County Farm family of the year. Ask anyone who knows him and they will tell you that Seth is a loving son, husband, and father, who bleeds Razorback red."Pitts is banned from the U of A's property and from all university sanctioned events for one year because of the incident, but Capt. Crain said Pitts could appeal that ban.UAPD arrested a man they say was not complying with face covering rules at the Nov. 21 University of Arkansas football game. Seth Pitts, 30, of Lincoln, Arkansas, tried to enter the football game without wearing a face covering.AdvertisementCapt. Gary Crain with UAPD said Pitts is facing charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental operations. Body camera footage from UAPD showed Pitts arguing with Cpl. Ryan Barber about the mask policy. "This is the fourth game I've been to and I haven't worn a mask at the other three," Pitts said in the video. Pitts then told Cpl. Barber he would wear a mask into the game if he was provided a face covering."If you're going to be stubborn about it, then give me a mask," Pitts said in the video. Cpl. Barber replied, "You're being stubborn about it, sir. Everyone else is complying. Why do I have to give you a mask? If you follow the rules like everyone else, you come prepared for the game."According to the police report, a stadium employee gave Pitts a mask and he walked into the game.Cpl. Barber said he watched Pitts walk into the bathroom immediately once he went inside and he saw Pitts walk back out without the mask on. Cpl. Barber confronted Pitts in a stairwell and explained to him that he would get ejected for not complying with the mask policy. Video showed Pitts arguing with UAPD officers for several minutes and refusing to give the officers his identification. Officers then put Pitts in handcuffs and led him out of the stadium where they got his ID out of his pocket. Capt. Crain said Pitts could have left the stadium without being arrested if he would have left when officers asked him to. "Keep in mind that he was not arrested for not having a face covering, but he was arrested for his behavior. The face covering, or the lack there of, just simply attracted the attention of staff members and police all around him. At any point, he could have just left. He was being ejected, but he refused to leave," Capt. Crain said. Pitts was taken to the Washington County Jail, but because of COVID-19 capacities, he was not booked and was released with a citation with the understanding that he appears in court on Jan. 8, 2021 to face his charges. 40/29 News reached out to Pitts for a comment. He declined an interview, but his attorney, Jay Moore, sent this statement:"Thanks for reaching out. It is very premature for us to comment in detail regarding the case as Mr. Pitts and I have requested the body camera videos in their entirety but do not yet have them in our possession. That being said, its important to note that Mr. Pitts does understand the University’s policy regarding masks. Seth and his family have been Razorback donors and season ticket holders for forty-one (41) consecutive years and Seth loves nothing more than cheering on the Hogs.Seth attended each of the three prior 2020 home games without wearing a mask, without issue. While attending those games he noticed law enforcement, medical personnel, large groups of patrons, and event staff members who were not wearing masks, or not wearing them correctly, leading Seth to believe the mask requirement was a suggestion. Again, it is too early to go into the specifics of the interactions between Seth and the UAPD, however, it is important to note that Seth never intended to garner this much negative attention. Just last year, Seth and his brothers were named Washington County Farm family of the year. Ask anyone who knows him and they will tell you that Seth is a loving son, husband, and father, who bleeds Razorback red."Pitts is banned from the U of A's property and from all university sanctioned events for one year because of the incident, but Capt. Crain said Pitts could appeal that ban.Loading more articles...

AdvertisementMan arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policyHide TranscriptShow TranscriptAND TONIGHT WE'RE SEEING THE POLICE BODY CAM FOOTAGE. HERE'S 4029S EMMA CLAYBROOK. &lt;&gt; 30-YEAR-OLD SETH PITTS FROM LINCOLN, ARKANSAS TRIED TO ENTER THE FOOTBALL GAME THROUGH THIS GATE (I'll be near gate 16 where this all happened) ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21ST WITHOUT WEARING A FACE COVERING. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RAZORBACKS SPORTING EVENTS...BUT PITTS TOLD OFFICERS HE HAD ATTENDED THREE FOOTBALL GAMES EARLIER THIS YEAR WHERE HE DIDN'T WEAR A MASK. WE'RE SHOWING YOU SOME...

Man arrested at Razorbacks football game after arguing about mask policy

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