NEW ORLEANS – An Alabama sheriff on Thursday identified the Crimson Tide fan who was filmed draping his genitals on the head of a passed-out LSU fan, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported.
According to the report, Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor identified 32-year-old Brian Downing as the attacker, saying Downing showed up at his office with an attorney Thursday and spoke by phone with New Orleans police.
Investigators in New Orleans, who were searching for the man accused of assaulting the unconscious LSU fan, said through a police spokesman Thursday they had not yet talked to a suspect in the case, and would withhold comment until further notice.
But Taylor, who said Downing was his cousin, told the Ledger-Enquirer the alleged assaulter was on his way to Louisiana to meet with police.
The cell phone video of the incident, which took place after the Jan. 9 national title game, went viral over the past week.
The male LSU fan had passed out with his head on a table inside the Krystal Burger eatery in New Orleans. Several Alabama fans are seen taunting and taking pictures with him.
Some fans placed food cartons on his head, before one Alabama fan -- alleged to be Downing -- is seen pulling out his genitals and simulating a sexual act on top of the LSU fan's head.
The New Orleans Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit failed to see the funny side and launched a sexual battery investigation into the incident. No charges have been filed, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.
"They said if any warrants were issued before he could get to New Orleans, he could turn himself in there," Taylor said.
Alabama had just won the highly anticipated rematch over their SEC rivals 21-0 to claim the BCS championship.
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