Man Charged After Throwing Green Sex Toy at Barclays Center WNBA Game

A New York man has been charged after allegedly throwing a green sex toy onto a WNBA court, striking a 12-year-old girl during a Barclays Center game, and police say the incident is part of a broader, ongoing trend that has prompted league-wide safety responses. Charles Burgess, 32, of Dayton, Ohio, was arrested on Aug. 20 and faces a slate of criminal counts, including second-degree attempted assault and interference with a professional sporting event, among others. He is accused of entering the arena on Aug. 5, smuggling in the object and discarding it toward the court, where it instead struck a bystander in the stands.

The incident occurred during a game between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Authorities allege Burgess pulled the object from his clothing and hurled it at approximately 8:45 p.m., hit a 12-year-old girl in the leg, and then left the scene. Burgess reportedly turned himself in after the incident, and his attorney has described the charges as “exaggerated,” saying there is video evidence suggesting no one was actually struck. The defense has indicated Burgess intends to vigorously contest the charges.