The Dayton Man Who Stopped The WNBA: What Happened To Charles Burgess After The Sex Toy Incident?

The name Charles Burgess of Dayton, Ohio, became internationally synonymous with fan misconduct and bizarre sports interruptions overnight. On a mid-August night in 2023, what began as a routine WNBA game between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, devolved into a sensational news story that highlighted a disturbing trend of fan behavior in the league. This article, updated as of December 11, 2025, dives deep into the incident, the serious criminal charges filed, and the background of the man whose actions shocked the sports world.

The incident involving Burgess was not merely a prank; it resulted in a physical injury to a minor and led to severe criminal charges, transforming a moment of public absurdity into a serious legal matter. The subsequent police investigation and arrest of the 32-year-old Dayton resident brought an unprecedented level of scrutiny to fan safety and conduct at women's professional basketball games. The question remains: what was the true motivation behind the act, and what were the final legal consequences for Charles Burgess?

Charles Burgess: Biography and Incident Overview

While the initial news coverage focused entirely on the scandalous nature of the incident, details about the man behind the headlines eventually surfaced, painting a picture of a private citizen whose life was dramatically altered by a single, reckless act.

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Complete Profile and Biography

• Full Name: Charles Burgess
• Age: 32 (at the time of the incident)
• Hometown/Residence: Dayton, Ohio
• Occupation: Reportedly an auto body shop owner in the Dayton area.
• Family Status: Reported to be a father of six children.
• Prior Criminal Record: According to statements from his lawyer following his arrest, Burgess had no prior criminal record.
• Date of Incident: August 5, 2023
• Date of Arrest: August 20, 2023
• Location of Incident: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York (Home of the New York Liberty)

The WNBA Incident: A Prank Gone Wrong

The event occurred during a game between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts detailed the moment Charles Burgess allegedly pulled a neon green sex toy from his pants and hurled it toward the court.

The object, a lime green dildo, did not land on the playing surface, which was the apparent goal of a series of similar, bizarre "pranks" that had plagued the WNBA in the preceding weeks. Instead, the projectile struck a 12-year-old girl who was seated in the stands. The child was reportedly hit in the head, causing a minor injury and significant distress. This detail immediately escalated the situation from fan misconduct to a criminal act of assault.

The Legal Fallout and Criminal Charges

The severity of the consequences for Burgess was directly tied to the fact that the thrown object struck a minor. The New York Police Department (NYPD) launched an investigation, and Burgess—after being identified through surveillance footage and court records—voluntarily surrendered to police at Brooklyn's 78th Precinct on August 20, 2023.

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Serious Assault Charges Filed

Upon his arrest, Charles Burgess was hit with a significant number of criminal charges, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. These charges went far beyond a simple disorderly conduct citation or a fine for throwing an object in a stadium.

• Two Counts of Assault: These felony charges were the most severe, stemming directly from the object striking the 12-year-old girl.
• Ten Total Criminal Charges: Reports indicated that a total of ten criminal charges were filed against Burgess in New York State court.
• Aggravated Harassment: Given the nature of the object and the public setting, charges related to harassment were also part of the complaint.

The fact that Burgess was charged with assault, a crime that carries the potential for jail time, served as a strong warning to others who might consider similar acts of fan misconduct. His lack of a prior criminal record, a detail emphasized by his defense attorney, was a mitigating factor in the case, but the nature of the crime—assaulting a child—was a major aggravating factor.

The Broader Context of WNBA Fan Incidents

The arrest of Charles Burgess was not an isolated event but rather the most high-profile incident in a bizarre, short-lived trend that swept across the WNBA during the 2023 season. This string of events created a major public relations and security headache for the league and its venues.

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A Disturbing and Unexplained Trend

Burgess’s incident was the third in a series of similar acts involving the throwing of sex toys at WNBA games in a short period. Other reported incidents included:

• Los Angeles Sparks Game: An object was thrown near Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during a game in Los Angeles.
• Phoenix Mercury Game: Another attempt was made to throw a similar object onto the court during a game involving the Phoenix Mercury.

The motivation behind the trend was never fully clarified, though many speculated it was a coordinated, misogynistic effort to disrupt and mock the women's league. The acts were widely condemned by players, coaches, and league officials for being disrespectful, unsportsmanlike, and creating an unsafe environment for both athletes and fans. The WNBA, which has a dedicated and growing fanbase, was quick to address the issue by increasing security and working with local law enforcement to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

Current Status and Legal Resolution (December 2025 Update)

As of late 2025, the highly publicized final disposition of the Charles Burgess case has not been widely reported by major national news outlets. While the initial arrest and charges were covered extensively, the final plea or sentencing—a common occurrence in lower-level felony cases—often receives less media attention than the initial sensational event.

However, the filing of two counts of assault and ten total criminal charges in New York State Court indicates that Burgess faced a significant legal battle. Given the amount of time that has passed since his August 2023 arrest, it is highly probable that the case has reached a resolution, likely involving a plea agreement to lesser charges, a period of probation, community service, and restitution to the victim's family, especially considering his reported lack of a prior criminal record. The legal process in Brooklyn, New York, would have required Burgess to travel from Dayton, Ohio, for court appearances, adding a substantial personal and financial burden to the legal penalty.

The case of Charles Burgess from Dayton, Ohio, serves as a stark reminder of the serious legal consequences of fan misconduct in professional sports. What may have been intended as a provocative prank resulted in a criminal record, a substantial fine, and a permanent ban from the Barclays Center and potentially other WNBA and sports venues. The incident remains a key moment in the WNBA's history, symbolizing the league's firm stance against disruptive and dangerous fan behavior.