Dad charged with assaulting son over basketball loss (Lakeville, Minnesota)

Dad is identified as STEVEN WILSON.


http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/eagan-dad-accused-of-punching-son-over-sporting-loss-dec-12-2011

Eagan Dad Accused of Punching Son Over Basketball Loss
Steven Wilson, 52, charged with domestic assault
Updated: Tuesday, 13 Dec 2011, 7:59 AM CST
Published : Monday, 12 Dec 2011, 7:40 PM CST

by Rob Olson / Paul Blume / FOX 9 News

LAKEVILLE, Minn. - Some parents can get a little tough on their kids when it comes to training them to be successful athletes, but one Eagan father is accused of going too far in Lakeville, holding his eighth-grade son with one arm and punching the boy in the face with the other after his team lost a game in a youth basketball tournament.

Police arrested 52-year-old Steven Wilson and charged him with fifth-degree domestic assault after other parents stepped in to separate the father from his child on Saturday.

The outburst unfolded in a hallway outside the gym, and FOX 9 News spoke with two witnesses who said they never saw the boy throw a punch.

"It breaks your heart," said Tara Falteysek, of Eagan. "I can't imagine how that young boy feels, that dad would do that to him -- and in front of friends."

Witnesses said they were deeply disturbed by what happened, and Lakeville Police chief Tom Vonhof said he's never seen anything like this in 30 years on the force.

"Occasionally, everyone sees that parent at the sporting event who's a little too belligerent, verbally abusive a little bit -- but for the police to get called to an event related to it is very unusual," Vonhof said.

Many parents FOX 9 News spoke with called the alleged attack appalling, and many said they feel that Wilson should be banned from attending further competitions if he is convicted.

After spending the night in the Dakota County Jail, Wilson posted $10,000 bail to get out without conditions. A fifth-degree assault charge usually carries up to 90 days in jail and a potential $3,000 fine.

A Lakeville prosecutor told FOX 9 News that any domestic assault charge typically comes with a no-contact order, but that hasn't shown up in Wilson's file yet.