BenDaDonnn has spoken out after being arrested in College Station, Texas, following a confrontation with police outside The Spot after the Texas A&M vs. Arkansas football game. The streamer said he believes he was racially profiled and claimed he was wrongfully detained. He also said he plans to take legal action against the officers involved. Police, however, gave a different account of the incident, saying the group refused commands to clear the roadway. BenDaDonnn was charged with evading arrest or detention and released after posting a $7,000 bond. His security guard was also arrested.
BenDaDonnn gives his side after College Station arrest
BenDaDonnn, whose real name is Benjamin Beard, discussed the arrest during a livestream on October 5. He appeared on stream wearing prison-style clothes with a jail backdrop while explaining what happened.According to the College Station Police Department, officers were clearing people from the roadway outside The Spot when they encountered a group that “refused to comply” with their commands. Police said one person slapped an officer’s hand away when the officer tried to move him from the roadway.The department said another man, who later identified himself as Beard’s security guard, interfered when officers tried to detain the first suspect. Police said a less-lethal tool was then used on Beard as he attempted to get away. Beard was later charged with evading arrest or detention. His security guard, Kenny Carter, was charged with interference with public duties. Both men were released on bond.Beard gave a different version of the encounter. He said he believes race played a role in how the officer treated him.“What I do want to say is, I do believe that I was racially profiled, and I’m not here to make this into a crazy thing, but obviously I do think I was racially profiled,” Beard said. “[The officer] zoned in; he picked me, and he was like, ‘Imma get yo’ ***, brother.’ We do got legal **** goin’ on. We on it, 1000%. I was wrongfully accused; I was wrongfully detained.”Beard also questioned why he was being detained when the only charge he faced was evading arrest or detention.“The only thing I got accused of was evading. What am I being detained… What is you holding me for?.. I had been on the sidewalk since the first command… I just told you stop putting hands on people… So, what am I being detained for? Me talking back to you?”
Why BenDaDonnn says his $7,000 bond made no sense
Beard also compared his bond with Carter’s. According to police records reported by FOX 26 Houston, Beard’s bond was $7,000, while Carter’s was $4,000.Beard questioned why he had to pay more even though he said Carter was the person who made physical contact with an officer.“Me and Kenny was in that ****, locked down together. I don’t know how the ****… My bond was like $7,000; Kenny’s was $4,000. How?! Why I gotta pay more?.. I did realize I had my chain and my Richard Mille on; maybe that had something to do with it. But I ain’t even do ****, brother… Why do I gotta pay more, and where is this money going?”Police have not said that Beard’s jewelry had anything to do with his bond amount.The College Station Police Department said the incident began while officers were trying to clear a busy roadway after the Texas A&M game. Police also said a large group later gathered around officers while Beard and Carter were waiting to be taken to jail, forcing officers to tell people to move back.Beard now says he plans to challenge what happened. As of October 6, no lawsuit had been filed, according to NDTV Sports. The criminal charge against him also remains an allegation and has not been decided in court.For now, the two sides are giving very different accounts. Police say Beard failed to follow commands and attempted to get away during the detention. Beard says he was already on the sidewalk, questioned the officers’ actions and believes he was targeted. The next step will depend on what happens with his case and any legal action he chooses to pursue.
