Crime & Public Safety
Coach charged after alleged chokehold at Wellington youth football field
A coach was arrested after deputies say he put another parent in a chokehold following a youth flag football game at Greenview Park in Wellington. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says the incident occurred Oct. 20 and involves the UCF Knights youth flag football program.
Deputies say the altercation began when two juvenile players became involved in a physical confrontation after the game. Witnesses reported one girl grabbed another player by the hair and pulled her to the ground, and parents then intervened. According to the arrest affidavit, the victim told investigators he was placed in a chokehold and experienced difficulty breathing while being restrained.
Investigators identified the suspect as Brandon Mayer, 37, who is listed as the coach of the UCF Knights team and the parent of one of the juveniles. An independent witness is cited in the affidavit as seeing Mayer with his arm around the victim’s neck. Based on those accounts and the victim’s description of a loss of oxygen, deputies say they had probable cause to charge Mayer with felony battery by strangulation.
Mayer denied choking the man and told deputies he was trying to separate the two juveniles, according to the arrest report. The affidavit also notes a juvenile battery charge was filed against Mayer’s daughter in connection with the initial fight between players. The case remains under review by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.