KALEB W. BROWN
COLES CO.—An Ashmore man has been charged with Criminal Trespass to a Residence after authorities found him trying to hug the homeowner.
According to court reports on September 4 at approximately 2:33 a.m. officers were dispatched to 632 W. Elm #216 in reference to a criminal trespass in progress. Upon arrival officers approached the front door of the trailer and observed Kaleb W. Brown, 35, of 303 W. Oak, Ashmore leaning over one of the victim’s, later identified as Robert Laws.
Laws was sitting in a reclining chair while Brown leaned over him holding his arms and asking him for a hug.
As Laws saw officers approach the front door he waved the officers into the residence.
Just walked in
Authorities entered and asked Laws what was going on and he stated that he didn’t know Brown and that Brown had entered his trailer without his permission.
Officers then placed Brown in handcuffs and took Brown outside the residence and sat him on the curb.
Officers said as they were walking Brown outside the residence he stumbled, appeared to be highly intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol.
Authorities say Brown was unable to answer the officer’s questions at that time and was unsure of where he was.
Officers requested an ambulance to respond to the scene at that time.
The police then returned to speak to Laws and another victim, James Laws.
James Laws stated that he was asleep on the couch in the residence when Brown entered and sat down in a chair.
Took his shoes off and sat down
After sitting in the chair James Laws took his shoes and jacket off.
Robert Laws then came into the living room and tried talking to Brown but was unable to understand Brown because of his high level of intoxication.
Robert Laws advised officers that at one point he believed Brown was going to fight with him which prompted him at that point to sit down in his chair and call police.
Just prior to the authorities arrival Brown approached Robert Laws and lightly smacked his stomach a few times and tried to hug him.
James and Robert Laws both stated they didn’t know Brown and wished to press charges against him.
Officers said they asked Brown to submit to a preliminary breath test to determine his level of intoxication, to which Brown agreed and tested scored a .371.
Officers say Brown was then transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for evaluation.
Had to be restrained
Police say upon arrival Brown immediately became highly combative and one of the officers removed Brown’s handcuffs for the hospital personnel to apply leather four-point restraints to Brown.
Officers said that Brown’s right hand was restrained above his head while his left was restrained at his side but he continued to flail around and shout obscenities at everyone in the room.
Hit officer in the crotch
Authorities say at one point an officer standing near Brown’s right hand when he suddenly reached for that officer’s groin; as Brown did so he struck the officer in the groin and leg causing the officer pain.
Officers say Brown was eventually released from the hospital after being treated and was then transported to the Coles County jail where he was booked and placed in a cell pending court appearance.
Jennifer Brown of the same Ashmore address paid the $750 cash bond on September 28 for Mr. Brown’s release with a court date of November 28.