Town of Vian Mayor Dennis Fletcher was arrested Saturday afternoon following a confrontation with a deputy at a high school baseball tournament in Payne County.
According to a report from the Payne County Sheriff ’s Office, the incident occurred around 3 p.m. on March 21, during a tournament at Ripley High School Baseball Field.
Payne County Sheriff ’s deputy William Bowen, who was assigned to a special detail at the event, said the situation began as he addressed alleged complaints about spectator behavior during a game between Ripley and Vian the previous day.
Witnesses, including the home plate umpire, reported that individuals parked behind the outfield fence had been yelling at players, using profanity, and shining high-beam headlights onto the field.
Some also suspected and alleged alcohol use, due to the odor and confrontational behavior.
According to the report, Bowen contacted a nearby property owner on Asp Street who had previously allowed informal parking.
The owner declined to allow vehicles on his property, citing concerns about trash and behavior, and gave permission for the area to be blocked off.
Deputies then placed cones, buckets and caution tape along the property line to prevent parking in that area, according to the report.
The deputy reported tensions escalated when multiple individuals approached him to question the restriction, and attempted to negotiate parking access with the property owner.
One man reportedly insisted on contacting the owner directly to pay the owner for parking, despite being told the request had already been denied.
During the interaction, Fletcher and two others reportedly approached while Bowen was speaking with another individual.
Bowen noted that Fletcher allegedly began arguing after being instructed to step back from the scene.
The deputy then cited a state law requiring individuals to maintain distance from officers performing official duties, and ordered Fletcher to move back around 25 feet.
According to the report, Fletcher disputed the existence of the law and refused to comply with repeated commands.
Bowen then took Fletcher into custody using verbal commands and hand restraints, about five minutes later.
Fletcher was searched and placed in a patrol vehicle before being transported to the Payne County Jail.
According to the initial report filed in the incident, the case was cleared by arrest and Fletcher was initially booked in on a charge of obstruction.
