Politician jailed in middle-finger, assault case

A Libertarian candidate in Indiana's 9th congressional district was arrested in Louisville on Friday after allegedly assaulting a Kentucky State Police officer and giving him the bird, a claim that his party believes is unlikely.

Russell Brooksbank, 45, of Clarksville, Ind., was stopped by police along National Turnpike around 10:30 a.m. after the officer pulled him over for improperly signaling by "using only his middle finger," according to a Jefferson County arrest citation.

During the stop, the officer notified Brooksbank he was pulled over for the signal and asked for his driver's license, insurance and registration, the citation said. Brooksbank refused and notified the officer he was going to record the interaction on his phone.

As he was reaching for his phone, the officer asked him three additional times to provide the information, but Brooksbank did not follow commands, the citation said. The officer attempted to take the phone, citing the unsafe location of the traffic stop.

While the officer reached for the phone, Brooksbank grabbed the officer's left arm and attempted to pull him into the vehicle through the driver-side window, the citation said. The officer pulled back, ripping Brooksbank's shirt before he was able to open the door and place him under arrest.

Brooksbank was booked into Metro Corrections on charges of third-degree assault of a police officer, obstruction/interference with a police officer, and failure to or improper signal, court records show. He is being held without bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Jefferson District Court on Saturday.

Even if he convicted of a crime, Brooksbank would legally be allowed to run and hold office, according to Indiana election guidelines. He is running against Democrat Shelli Yoder and Republican Trey Hollingsworth in the race for the 9th district, which is based in Bloomington and includes Harrison, Floyd and Clark counties.

Shawn Bostock, a Libertarian candidate for Commissioner District 2 in Clark County, said he has a hard time believing Brooksbank assaulted the officer because Brooksbank is a pacificist and advocates anti-aggression. He said Brooksbank sent a text message to Kelly Curan, chair of Clark County Libertarian party, while he was being arrested.

In the text message, which was forwarded to the Courier-Journal, Brooksbank said he was arrested for contempt of cop after the "officer thought I was flipping him off."

"He pulled me over and came at me in an aggressive manner," the text said. "I informed him that I was going to turn my phone on and record. He said that if I did and ended up arrested that he could use it as evidence. He then proceeded (sic)," and the text cut off.

Bostock said he would be frustrated if Brooksbank was indeed pulled over for an act of "freedom of speech." It would fit into the Libertarian campaign, which is against the "overcriminalization of everything," he said.

The officer "needs to spend more time enforcing the laws and less time worrying about sign language," Bostock said.

Bostock said the party is currently waiting to see the outcome of his arraignment before deciding on a next step. When asked whether it would affect Brooksbank's campaign, he said that he's already been left out of debates, so it most likely won't hurt.

"In today's society, it might get him more publicity," he said.

Sgt. Jason Morris, spokesman for Kentucky State Police's commercial vehicle enforcement unit out of Louisville, said he cannot comment on whether or not Brooksbank is an aggressive individual because he has no knowledge of any past offenses. If Brooksbank did indeed flip the officer off, Morris said he'd be considered "an aggressive individual."

He declined further comment, citing an ongoing and pending investigation.

Reporter Justin Sayers can be reached at 502-582-4252 or jsayers@gannett.com