Man wearing a Jesus costume punched a cop. He’ll spend weekends in jail, CA police say
A La Jolla man has been sentenced to weekends in jail after he pleaded guilty to punching a police officer while wearing a Jesus costume on Halloween night.
San Diego County Superior Court Judge Melinda J. Lasater sentenced Eric Van Vleet to serve 270 days in jail over 35 three-day weekends on the felony battery charge, according to Fox5. “The rest of the time will be fulfilled with custody credits,” the station said.
Van Vleet was also given five years probation, the outlet reported.
Early Nov. 1, police said San Diego police officer Ben Hall saw a fight outside Atomic bar, according to Fox5. Hall pepper-sprayed the people involved in the fight and Van Vleet, who had been dressed as Jesus, yelled “(Expletive) the police” and punched Hall before fleeing the scene.
The incident was captured on surveillance video at a nearby restaurant and officers identified Van Vleet, according to NBC San Diego.
Van Vleet was arrested in Idaho, the outlet reported.
During the court hearing, Van Vleet apologized to Hall, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
“My actions were something I would not wish on anyone,” Van Vleet said. “Thank you for speaking today and helping me understand even clearer what my actions entailed and the results of my addiction. I’m thankful I’m on the road to recovery.”
Van Vleet was in jail for 30 days in Idaho and San Diego and was released on bail, according to the outlet.
