Irvine police detective charged with assault of guard at O.C. Fair
Sean Crawford, who was off duty, was arrested on suspicion of attacking the private security guard at a July 20 concert at the Pacific Amphitheatre on the fairgrounds.
An Irvine police detective is facing assault and battery charges over a tussle with a security guard during a concert at the Orange County Fair, the sheriff's department said this morning.
Sean Crawford was arrested on suspicion of attacking private security guard Peggie Sue Walden at a July 20 concert at Pacific Amphitheatre, authorities said. The detective was off duty at the time, said Irvine Police spokesman Lt. Rick Handfield.
Crawford is accused of misdemeanor assault and battery in injuring Walden, according to charges filed with the district attorney's office in August. Crawford pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week, court records indicate.
He was one of several audience members who tried to rush the stage after the group the Dropkick Murphys finished playing about 10:30 p.m., said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.
Amormino said that Crawford jumped over the railing and that when Walden tried to stop him, he struck her on the neck, under the chin and in the chest, knocking her down.
Walden suffered minor injuries, including a red mark on her neck and a scrape on right calf from falling down.
Irvine Police Chief David Maggard said in a written statement that the department had launched an administrative investigation into the charges and placed Crawford on administrative leave.
"The Irvine Police Department takes any alleged misconduct very seriously," the statement read. "We have high expectations for the conduct of all our employees, both on and off duty."
tony.barboza@latimes.com
