Alabama Man Imprisoned For Rubbing His Genitals On LSU Fan
New Orleans, LA – An Alabama football fan has received two years in prison for obscenity after rubbing his genitals on an unconscious LSU fan after last year’s championship game.
Brian Downing of Smiths Station, Alabama was caught on video performing his lewd act on a rival supporter who had passed out. The video went viral, and Downing was charged shortly after.
At the hearing for his sentencing, Downing was called a “bully” by State District Judge Karen Herman, who added that he had “permanently damaged someone else’s life.” In passing sentence, Herman told Downing:
“You have put aside someone’s dignity. [He] didn’t have the option to say, ‘No,’ and tell you to stop.”
The Alabama native was sentenced as part of a plea deal and refused to say anything before the verdict was delivered and he was taken into custody at the conclusion of his hearing.
Downing had pleaded guilty in October to two counts of obscenity for his assault on the LSU fan. His prison sentence could have been much longer, but prosecutors dropped a charge of sexual battery, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.
As it is, Downing may be eligible to serve less than half of his two-year sentence. An attorney for the guilty man has predicted his client will serve a minimum of nine months. Downing has also been sued by the LSU fan, who didn’t attend the sentencing hearing.
The incident with Downing and the LSU fan occurred last January, immediately after Alabama had defeated LSU 21-0 at the Superdome to claim the BCS title.
