Oregon State Police have arrested one individual in connection to a post-Civil War game incident that involved a shirt being set ablaze at Reser Stadium last Saturday in Corvallis.
The man arrested has been identified as 20-year-old Joshua David Britton. OSP Lieutenant Gregg Hastings said that state troopers had contacted Britton after identifying him from a number of tips and other evidence that included a Portland Tribune photo and a YouTube video.
Britton was arrested at a Eugene area apartment on Tuesday evening. Hastings said he was cooperative. Britton was then transported to the Benton County Correctional Facility in Corvallis, where he was booked and released. The University registrar’s office has identified Britton as a University student majoring in pre-business.
Britton’s arrest stems from post Civil War Game festivities early Saturday evening. After Duck fans swarmed the field in celebration, Britton allegedly took a black T-shirt and set it afire on Reser Stadium’s artificial turf. The shirt read “I HATE YOUR DUCKS!” in Oregon State orange.
From what can be seen in a YouTube video of the alleged event, Britton was not the only individual involved in the shirt burning. Some individuals even leaned down to light cigars and cigarettes in the flaming shirt as it lay on the Beaver insignia in the middle of the field.
The legal proceedings of this case will not be held in Lane, but in Benton County. Benton County District Attorney’s Office is considering a felony charge of rioting against Britton, in addition to misdemeanor charges related to criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, reckless burning and the endangering of other people.