Tampa Bay Fox 13 News Anchor Russell Rhodes Arrested (Photos)
Posted on January 17, 2009
Tampa Bay Fox 13 morning news anchor Russell Rhodes was arrested last night and charged with obstructing an officer without violence after trying to run from an off-duty deputy in the Channelside garage. Read more on Russell Rhodes arrest below.
At 10:15 p.m., an off-duty deputy at the Channelside parking garage, 810 Channelside Dr., spotted Russell Rhodes in his 2006 BMW 325i in the garage driving recklessly, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesman J. D. Callaway.
Rhodes “was attempting to reverse his vehicle into other traffic after passing the exit token machine,” according to a criminal report affidavit.
When the deputy stopped Rhodes’s car, he got out and his belt and pants were undone.
“Rhodes appeared to be intoxicated when he got out of the vehicle,” said Callaway. “Twice, Rhodes walked away from the deputy after being ordered not to leave. The third time he tried to run out of the garage. The deputy escorted Rhodes back to the patrol car and requested Rhodes give him the key to the vehicle, which Rhodes had in his right hand.”
Rhodes would not give the deputy the key, said Callaway and began to jerk his hand away from the deputy in an attempt to prevent him from grabbing the key, “requiring the deputy to take Rhodes to the ground to be handcuffed.”
After being handcuffed, Rhodes apologized, according to the affidavit.
Rhodes told the deputy he panicked “because he works for Fox 13 news,” according to the affidavit.
Click Thumbnails for Larger Pictures
Rhodes was taken by ambulance to Tampa General Hospital’s emergency room to be treated for a laceration to his lip and a contusion to his left cheek, according to Callaway.
“We have a DUI investigation under way,” Callaway said. “We took a blood draw at the hospital and are awaiting results from the analysis.”
Rhodes will not be on the air Monday morning, said Fox 13 spokeswoman Jessica Moss.
She referred all other questions to the station’s website, which states that “Fox 13 management is aware of the matter and is reviewing it.”
Russell Rhodes was released from the Orient Road Jail at 8:23 a.m. on a $500 bond.
Images: PR
Source: news
17 comments
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This is a “FAKE” scene, folks!!
……………BET?
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Russell Rhodes is a asset to the Tampa Bay communtiy. I say he who is without sin cast the first stone. In other words, haven’t we all made a mistake. Pleae don’t let Russell Rhodes go, even if he is proven guilty. Everyone is allowed a mistake or two in life. Russell Rhodes always seems to brighten the day. It seems fishy to me that, a undercover police detective is the one who beat him up. If I was a celebrity, I might not give up to someone that I wasn’t sure was a police officer.
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Obtructing without violence? Seems he met up with some very violent OFF DUTY officer. Whoever did that to him should be prosecuted and punished.
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Hahahahaha and more hahahahha. I bet this fruitcake tought he was above the law and didn’t have to obey like everyone else. Hahahahaha… when a deputy gives you an order you need to follow it; I hope that mug shot will remind you of this in the future… hahahahaha
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I think Russell has been the best thing to happen to the morning news… I agree with Terrie, let the man be, the humilation alone should be enough. I also agree that whoever did this to his face should be arrested and charged, that looks just alittle excessive for being a nonviolent charge. He was nonviolent but that officer sure was violent. I don’t think for one minute that he thought he was above the law… he just made a mistake and wasn’t thinking rationally. Until you are put in a situation like this you have no clue what’s going through his mind, maybe “oh shit there goes my job”. With today’s economy and no jobs out there that would cause anyone to run. Leave Russell alone, he is just human and a very good TV personality, I will never watch 13 again if they fire him for this.
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God forbid if anyone makes a mistake. And what was the officer doing there. Maybe, if this officer needs to let alittle frustration out he could try the gym, instead of using excessive force. This is cruel.
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I like Russell Rhodes also, but here’s the thing. When an officer tells you stop, you stop! Bottom line you stop! Undercover, off duty, it doesn’t matter.
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Yea it does seem like excessive force to me! Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. He had a lack in judgment and did not feel he was above the law but in panic mode because of where he works knowing this would ruin his reputation and more.
We love you Russell! Fox13, please do not get rid of him!!!!
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I’m a snowbird and I always look forward to coming back to Tampa area and enjoy Russell Rhodes on Fox 13, I agree with Jenn, leave him alone, and Fox13 I hope I will still be watching you every morning with Russell Rhodes as the news anchorman.
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I Love Russell and he made a mistake. Did Bob Hite lose his job after his DUI arrest?? No, people make mistakes and the pressure of today’s economy who knows what they would do in that situation. He made a mistake and he’ll pay the penalty according to law, hopefully Fox 13 will realize that. If not I may have to go back to watching Channel 8. I miss Bob too.
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So there is no such thing as an “off duty” officer? It is definitely encouraging to see that most people think the cop was out of line and TOO rough. Thanks to our government no one can make a mistake anymore. Have no doubt that he is a hero to his fellow officers for “stopping” such a dangerous person. Why use reason when you can beat someone up. I hope Russell presses charges against the officer, he’s harmed his ability to work by inflicting damage on his appearance. Good luck Russell!
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i agree who ever did that to his face should be charged. i think they use to much force in some cases.i listen to ham radio and they are saying same thing as i said. sure do miss him,he a good personality,hope he is back on soon,please dont fire him. sharon
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I can’t believe we hear nothing, what about his pants undone? Was he alone? What happened with the Blood test? What happened to the off Duty Cop that beat the crap out of him? He just showed up on air and I heard nothing! What are they hiding or perhaps covering up!I get a kick out of his goofy shucks way about him, and his gush gush with his guest. but I just want this story finished! Steve
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YAY! He is back on and appologised. It takes cajones to get up on national TV and say you are sorry and thanks for the support. He does not HAVE to tell us anything as far as the details.
We will eventually know how it all pans out, but for now he is back and has a job. I am glad too because Russell makes the show, he made it a truly good day!!!
We love you Russell and are praying for you!
Thank you FOX for keeping him, he is a true asset to your team!
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Yeah! I’m happy he’s back, but Fox and any other media will pick pick pick anyone else about the details and the inside story, not to mention the back of the story! Doesn’t seem right they treat themselves different.If the are going to put the screws to any other story I want the rest of this Story. Not satisfied Steve
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i agree with steve, why the cover up??????????
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After having had a chance to looked at the mug shot of Russell Rhodes. I see inconsistences with the bruises on Mr. Rhodes face and the story, as it is being told, by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department claims Mr. Rhodes received the bruises when he was thrown down on his face one time. The bruises to the lower right hand side of his face (his mouth and nose) are consistent with being thrown on his face. The bruises to his left eye are consistent with having been hit with a straight blunt object by a right handed person (note the straight mark under his left eye.) The eye injury looks suspiciously like a night stick or a flashlight. I don’t think we are getting the full story……… Since the widespread use of video cameras, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department has had some very embarrassing notariety. Hillsborough is where the jailer, in the now famous video, was caught throwing a paraplegic man (face first) out of his wheelchair, while booking him into jail. Because, he refused to stand up. Any judgement we make about Mr. Rhodes must be balanced against the checkered history of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department.
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