Florida Man Arrested After He Tells Cop He’s Named ‘Ben Dover’

Andrew James Leighton's little joke didn't go over so well.

November 09, 2018
Andrew James Leighton [Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office]

Andrew James Leighton [Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office]

Andrew James Leighton [Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office]

By: Aaron Rasmussen

PALM HARBOR, FL — A wise-guy Floridian became the butt of the joke when he told a cop his name was “Ben Dover” — and wound up behind bars.

On November 6, according to an arrest affidavit, a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy told Andrew James Leighton to leave Palm Harbor’s John Chestnut Park since it closed at 6 P.M.

When the officer then asked the 22-year-old’s name so he could issue him a trespass warning, Leighton responded: “Ben Dover.”

“Subsequently, he gave Deputy Baldwin the middle finger,” and got in the officer’s face “as if he was going to hit him,” reads the report.

Leighton fled the scene, but got caught and was taken into custody.

He was released on a $300 bond and now faces charges of resisting an officer and obstruction by a disguised person.

Read more: The Smoking Gun

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