Mugshot of Dennison Etienne. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ST. THOMAS — A man has been charged with simple assault after he allegedly kicked another individual during a soccer match.
Dennison Etienne was arrested on Sunday morning after officers were dispatched to Frydenhoj Ball Park in reference to an assault. The responding officers made contact with the victim who stated that he came to the park earlier that day to play soccer with his team and later noticed that Etienne had joined the game. He recounted that while playing he took the ball from Etienne who then kicked him. According to the man, he then told Etienne “it’s no need to play like that,” to which Etienne allegedly replied, “I’m coming back again and I’m going to break your leg.”
The victim told police that he did not reply to Etienne and continued playing. However, he says upon receiving the ball, Etienne came out of nowhere and intentionally kicked him on the upper leg hard, causing him to kneel down and grab his leg. When he looked up he saw Etienne rushing toward him and he stretched out his arm to push him away. He indicated that he wanted Etienne placed under arrest for his injuries.
When police spoke with Etienne, he asserted that he did not willfully kick the victim and that he had actually been kicking the ball. However, according to the probable cause fact sheet, police discovered that Etienne and the victim had previously been involved in an altercation prior to this incident. Police also found that the victim had sustained a big bruise to his leg and Etienne was subsequently arrested and charged.
Following his arrest, Etienne posted bail in the amount of $500 and was released until his advisement hearing on Monday. At that hearing Assistant, V.I. Attorney General Brenda Scales affirmed that the people were satisfied with this amount and the judge ruled that Etienne would be allowed to continue his release based on his previous posting of bail. He has been ordered to have absolutely no contact with the victim while the matter remains pending.
Advertisements
