View this post on Instagram
Naked Splashdown: Man’s Bass Pro Shops Aquarium Dive Ends in Plea Deal
Meet George Owens, a 43-year-old man who turned a routine trip to a Bass Pro Shops in Leeds into a headline-grabbing spectacle. It all started when Owens, his wife, and their six-year-old son arrived at the sporting goods store—not by casually walking in, but by crashing their Chevy truck into a light pole outside. What followed was a series of events that left shoppers bewildered and law enforcement officers exasperated.
Owens stripped naked (yes, completely), stormed into the store, and cannonballed into the store’s aquarium. While stunned customers whipped out their phones to record the impromptu fish frolic, Owens began yelling obscenities at anyone within earshot. When police arrived, the situation only escalated. He tumbled out of the tank, resisted arrest, and even kicked an officer in the most delicate of areas.
The damage? About $3,500 to the light pole, another $5,000 to a police transport vehicle, and a lifetime of awkward family memories for his wife and child.
So, why did he do it? Owens initially gave no explanation other than, “If I tell you guys, you’ll put me in the looney house.” Later, he cited “religious reasons” for his aquatic adventure. His wife, however, offered a simpler explanation: he was having a mental episode and had taken “a lot of drugs” he found in the garage.
Fast forward to court: Owens pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors, including public lewdness, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. Thanks to Veterans Treatment Court, which helps veterans with mental health or substance abuse issues, Owens has a chance to turn things around. If he completes the program, which includes drug treatment and remaining substance-free, the charges might be dismissed.
Owens is scheduled for a progress review on January 7.
Comments