Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a UF student during Saturday’s football game after he reportedly punched an officer.
At about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Tyler R. Sweetman, 19, reportedly tried to enter Gate 14 of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium when an officer turned him away for being intoxicated, according to a police report.
Sweetman continued toward the gate and away from ticket staff. When an officer tried to stop Sweetman, he pulled away and punched the officer in his right hand, according to the report.
Sweetman continued to resist the officer even after being forced onto the ground, according to the report.
Sweetman is listed as a student in the UF Directory.
Police arrested Sweetman on charges of battery on an officer and resisting an officer. Authorities took him to the Alachua County Jail and he was released Sunday afternoon on his own recognizance. He declined to comment.
Sweetman was one of four people arrested during the game, with the other three arrests listed as possession of a fake ID or trespassing after a warning.
Police also ejected 28 others. Of those ejections, 11 were students, according to a police report. Alcohol possession is given as the reason for nine ejections, followed by ejections for intoxication, disorderly conduct, ticket switching, standing on seats and not having a ticket.
Contact Giuseppe Sabella at gsabella@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @Gsabella
