News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

CLACKAMAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARRESTS 6th-GRADE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH IN CONNECTION WITH DISTURBANCE

Posted: February 17th, 2008 2:28 PM

On Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12:00 p.m. , Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputies assigned to Estacada responded to a disturbance that erupted on the basketball court inside Estacada High School.

The Sheriff's Office had received reports of a disturbance that occurred on the court in which adults expressed their displeasure overthe way an officiating 17-year-old referee had been calling the 6th-grade girls' Estacada-vs.-Molalla basketball game.

Investigating Deputy Brian Pearson reports the following victim and witness accounts of what led to the disturbance:

During this basketball game -- played between the Estacada and Molalla 6th-grade girls' teams -- the Molalla head coach received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game.

This coach, identified as Jeffery Scott Larsen (born March 1973) failed to leave the game floor and remained in a corner of the building -- and continued to verbally harass the referee.

This referee is identified as Houston Webb, a 17-year-old, 3.75-GPA student attending Estacada High.

As described, this alleged conduct demonstrated by Coach Larsen would constitute a Class C Misdemeanor: Criminal Trespassing of a Sporting Event (see ORS 164.278 for details).

Detailed information received at the scene reveals Coach Larsen received his first technical foul during the first half of the game -- while he became excessively argumentative when objecting to a foul called on one of his players.

The second technical foul was instituted at the beginning of the second half -- with a resulting ejection from the game -- when Coach Larsen, increasingly angry over the officiating, hastily slammed his clipboard down on a 6th-grade-girl's hand who was positioned at a courtside table acting as designated scorekeeper.

This young girl sustained a cut to her hand, and did not require sutures or medical attention.

Additional reports indicate that Coach Larsen failed to leave the arena when ejected -- as prescribed by law. Instead, he opted to stand in a corner of the hall, continuing to yell at the referee and continuing to coach his players from a corner of the gym.

The Molalla fans then reportedly became more immersed in the taunting of the referee, and the fan hostility continued to escalate. This antagonism was then reportedly carried onto the floor at the end of the game -- when both the Estacada and Molalla fans swarmed the floor, verbally facing-off against each other. No physical injuries were reported.

At the game's conclusion, witnesses report that Coach Larsen advanced rapidly onto the basketball court and grabbed the arm of referee Houston Webb. He then reportedly menacingly cocked his arm back with a clenched fist -- calling Webb a "jackass" and an "*** hole."

At the same time, a Molalla assistant coach, identified as Molalla resident James Robert Ulin (born March 1975), came onto the floor and reportedly violently pushed the intervening Estacada Junior High Principal and Coach, 47 year-old Kevin Olds. Olds had come onto the floor to defend the young referee.

Principal / Coach Olds told CCSO Det. Jim Strovink shortly after the incident: "There were an estimated 75 parents and children in attendance who witnessed this event. Many of the girls were frightened ... crying ... and fleeing the building with their parents."

Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputies arrived promptly at the scene, and learned from witnesses that the two Molalla coaches were told the Sheriff's Office had been summoned. However, the coaches elected to leave the scene prior to the deputies' arrival.

Deputies report that they were unable to locate Jeffery Scott Larsen at his residential address in Molalla later in the day. However, Molalla Police personnel independently report that a concerned Jeffrey Scott Larsen telephoned an off-duty friend and member of the Molalla Police Department shortly after the Estacada event -- seeking advice or information pertaining to his present predicament.

On Sunday, February 17 at 9 a.m., Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brian Pearson personally contacted Jeffery Scott Larsen at his residence in Molalla -- seeking his comments and accounting of the events reported earlier by witnesses at the Estacada High. Larsen was very cooperative with this investigating deputy, and said that the atmosphere surrounding the event at Estacada High was fully highly charged.

Mr. Larsen was taken into custody by Deputy Pearson and transported to Clackamas County Jail. Larsen was cited and released for the Class C Misdemeanor of Criminal Trespassing of a Sporting Event (ORS 164.278). He has an appearance date set for March 17, 2008 at 3 p.m. in the Clackamas County Circuit Court in Oregon City. A photo is linked above.

Deputy Pearson also interviewed the identified Assistant Molalla Coach, James Robert Ulin, at his residence today in Molalla. Ulin was described to be as cooperative with authorities as Jeffery Larsen; however, Ulin was not cited or taken into custody. This investigation continues, and additional charges may follow.

Both Larsen and Ulin have said they do not wish to discuss this incident with reporters.

However, referee Houston Webb and Principal Kevin Olds are willing to discuss this unfortunate incident with media outlets.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is seeking anyone who may have videotaped the events of this game -- and encourage anyone in possession of video segments of this basketball contest or the altercation to alert the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office at (503) 655-8211.

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Contact Info: Jim Strovink, Detective