SB Nation Arizona - Arizona-UCLA Game Streaker: Jace Lankow Facing Felony Charge

Arizona Referee Streaker Jace Lankow Charged With Felony: Are You Kidding Me?

2011-10-22T18:24:05Z

Jace Lankow, the referee-turned-stripper who streaked across the field at Arizona Stadium on Thursday night, has been charged with criminal impersonation, a class 6 felony, according to The Arizona Republic.

The maximum punishment that Lankow faces is a year and a half in prison. The real question has to be this: what the hell are police in Tucson thinking?

It's one thing to charge someone with criminal trespassing. That is acceptable considering the situation. But criminal impersonation? That is a charge generally reserved for scam artists who dress up as police officers or illegal immigrants who falsify documents -- not for some foolish college student who runs onto a field dressed as a referee.

It's an unprecedented, overbearing charge that will burden this young man with legal issues for months to come. Lankow will have a difficult time getting this monkey off his back.

Many will argue that he deserves to be punished for what he has done. That much I can agree with, but why does Pima County insist on bringing forward the most ludicrous charge possible?

The liberal application of laws in this country has been a problem for a long time, but we could always take solace in the knowledge that it was always in the best interests of security, safety, and Amurrica. In this scenario, the police should have stuck to a standard charge that correctly depicts the nature of the crime rather than attempting to capitalize on the high level of attention such a case would provide.

Lankow was wrong, no doubt about it. But two wrongs don't make a right and the police should be ashamed of themselves for trying to make an example out of this kid.

Poll

Is this an appropriate charge considering the situation?

Yes, he impersonated a ref and disrupted a game

78 votes

No, it's far too serious of a charge given the situation

378 votes

456 votes | Poll has closed

Arizona-UCLA Streaker Facing Felony Charges, Jail Time Unlikely

2011-10-22T18:20:42Z

By now just about everyone knows of Jace Lankow and the streaking he did across Arizona Stadium on Thursday night. While no one was hurt during the incident -- well, no one besides Lankow, who was tackled by multiple police officers -- the 22-year old could be facing a class 6 felony charge.

No, we aren't kidding. AZ Central confirms the news:

He was led off the field in handcuffs and charged with a class 6 felony, which means he's facing a maximum of a year and a half in jail if he has no previous felony convictions.

This seems incredibly unfair and the charges could (and probably will) be reduced, according to Business Insider.

There is a possibility Lankow's charges will be reduced to a Class 1 misdemeanor based on his criminal history and the nature of the offense.

My guess is Lankow will pay a hefty fine, get a hard slap on the wrist and will not be welcome back at Arizona Stadium. It would be absolutely absurd if he has to serve any time in prison and the community would be furious.

Hey, he's a college kid who had a crazy idea that turned badly for him. It happens.

For more on the Wildcats, check out AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona vs. UCLA Fight: Four Wildcats Suspended For Actions In Brawl

2011-10-22T02:32:15Z

Four Arizona Wildcats have been suspended for their actions on Thursday night against the UCLA Bruins. After a fan dressed as a referee snuck onto the field and streaked across Arizona Stadium, a fight broke out between the two teams. An official release from UA has the details on the suspensions:

"Arizona defensive backs Shaquille Richardson, Jourdon Grandon, Mark Watley and Lyle Brown have been suspended by the league following a Pac-12 review of the shoving match and fight between UA and UCLA just before halftime of the Cats' 48-12 football victory on Thursday. Six UCLA players also received suspension.

Richardson and Grandon will serve full-game suspensions, while Watley and Brown will have to miss the first half of Arizona's game at Washington Oct. 29.

Richardson, a starting cornerback, was ejected from the game immediately after the fracas on Thursday and did not play in the second half. Grandon has started several games as a nickel back, while Watley and Brown are key backups and special teams players.

Athletic director Greg Byrne, interim head coach Tim Kish and Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott all weighed in on the situation:

"It was an unfortunate incident and one with consequences that we fully understand and support," Arizona athletics director Greg Byrne said. "The University of Arizona in no way accepts such behavior from student-athletes."

"I'm disappointed for Arizona and UCLA," interim Arizona head coach Tim Kish said. "The altercation was a black mark on what was a good game for us. We know that players get excited and driven during games, but composure has to be maintained throughout. We'll learn from this and grow."

In handing down the suspensions, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said, "The conference is extremely disappointed in the actions of the student-athletes involved in this incident. It is unacceptable behavior and violated conference rules, as well as NCAA fighting rules. I have taken these actions today because it is imperative that we hold our student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards of sportsmanship," Scott said.

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For more on the Wildcats, head on over to AZ Desert Swarm.

Arizona Ref-Stripper Identity Revealed, New Video Uncovered

2011-10-21T19:57:19Z

Meet Jacen Lankow, perpetrator of the Arizona-UCLA referee/stripper/streaking episode that took place Thursday night at Arizona Stadium.

Here's a new look at the whole event, likely taken by some of his friends from the stands. From this video you can see Lankow don the referee garb, run out on the field as an impostor, than immediately start his strip/streak/idiotically not noticing that security guard that tackled him from behind. Lankow obviously wanted to be found; why else would he put his Twitter feed on his back and chest for his time on National television?

U of A v.s. UCLA Streaker 2011 ENTIRE VIDEO (via lankowlllyk)

One thing is for sure, he's no Soy Bomb.

The most interesting part of the video comes at the very end, when a bit of poor editing gives us a clear shot of Lankow in the infamous underwear along with a couple of Wildcat fans:
.

One can argue that he did this on purpose, or that he simply didn't create a feasible exit strategy. It didn't seem like he was looking for an out when he was running around, more like just making sure everybody there saw him do it. If you ask me this kid was in it for the spotlight (which I am giving him as I write this) because I don't know what more than 15 minutes of fame could possibly come from this. We all have our time in the sun, and it's already setting on Mr. Lankow.

Your parents must be so proud of you Jacen!

Arizona Wildcats Destroy UCLA In Wild West Massacre, 48-12

2011-10-21T04:50:41Z

It was a pretty wild night in Tucson, AZ with the Arizona Wildcats doing far more than win their first game against and FBS opponent in 10 tries. The UCLA Bruins came into the desert and played the role of hapless victim to a tee, giving up six first half touchdowns to the Wildcats on all six of their first half possessions.

The second half of the game provided little of interest beyond the first two career field goals for the Wildcats field goal kicker, John Bonano.

The win comes in the first game for Arizona under interim head coach Tim Kish. Kish stepped in after Mike Stoops was fired by the school after the team started the season 1-4.

The end of the first half featured a fan impersonating an official who then ran off the field shedding his costume all the while giant brawl between the two teams erupted.

Arizona put up a whooping 573 yards of offense against the Bruins with quarterback Nick Foles going 26-39 for 290 yards and three touchdowns, all to Juron Criner. The Wildcats held UCLA to just 37 yards on the ground while they put up 255 of their own.

The win helps the ASU Sun Devils who were competing with UCLA for the Pac-12 South Division title.

For more on this epic Arizona win, visit AZ Desert Swarm.

ANIMATED: Streaker Impersonates Pac-12 Ref At Arizona-UCLA Game

2011-10-21T03:44:15Z

We'll have some quality video of the fight between the Arizona Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins soon enough. However, this post is dedicated to the intrepid Arizona streaker who clearly put a great deal of thought into his get-up. He impersonated a Pac-12 official, ran onto the field, tried to take the football from the official who had it. When he was denied the football, the streaker started to move down the field, and I'm guessing from there he began to remove his getup. The ESPN cameras were sadly no help to us though.

After the jump, check out the streaker in action, courtesy of Gifulmination. Click on the image if you're having trouble seeing the animation on our site.

via gif.mocksession.com

The streaker apparently EVEN BLEW THE PLAY DEAD. This is the greatest Pac-12 officiating audition ever!

Conjecture: Everyone was so angry he took the football, they started to fight I guess. At least I'm guessing that's exactly what happened.

To discuss the game with Arizona fans, head to Arizona Desert Swarm. To discuss the game with UCLA fans, hit up Bruins Nation.

Arizona Wildcats First Half Slaughter Of UCLA Ends With Streaker Brawl (VIDEO)

2011-10-21T03:26:49Z

Stop us if you've heard this one before. Once upon a time, at the end of the first half of a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and UCLA Bruins a person dressed in referee costume ran on to the field. The fake official ran to the action and tried to get the football. After being discovered as a fraud by the ever-alert Pac-12 officials (the real ones) he ran off and began shedding his clothes.

While the ever alert Pac-12 officials are following the action with the fake streaking official, a small group of players from the UCLA football team and the Arizona football team engage in a brawl. The brawl quick spreads to all parts of the field as the benches clear and chaos ensures.

As a result of the brawl, two players (one from each football team) were ejected from the game by the (real) Pac-12 officials. It is not clear what happened to the fake official-turned streaker, although we can assume his evening will end in a jail cell.

Also, even more unbelievably, the Arizona Wildcats scored a touchdown on all six of their first half possessions and even more shockingly, managed to convert all six point after kicks. They led 42-7 after two quarters of "play".

If you don't believe this story, here's the video proof
.

VIDEO: Juron Criner Amazing Catch For Arizona Vs. UCLA

2011-10-21T03:00:00Z

Juron Criner of the Arizona Wildcats took advantage of poor defense by the UCLA Bruins (more like 'LOL' defense if you watch it enough) on his first touchdown catch, but the second catch was all him. And what a catch!

Nick Foles threw what I think was supposed to be a back-shoulder fade. I say 'think' because that football didn't look like it was on target, since it was high and away and right above the head of Aaron Hester. No way Criner can make that catch, right?

Holy wowzers. Arizona went up 14-0, and there has been no resistance at all from the Bruins defense in this one.

Criner has three touchdown catches and the Wildcats are up 42-7 at halftime. You read that right.

To discuss the UCLA-Arizona game with very angry Bruins fans, head to Bruins Nation. To discuss the situation with Wildcats fans, head to Arizona Desert Swarm.