A 44-year-old Jasonville woman found herself behind bars Sept. 24 following an incident during Jasonville’s annual homecoming celebration. 

Brenda Jean Chesterfield was arrested on preliminary charges of battery and disorderly conduct by Jasonville Police Chief Ryan VanHorn.

Chief VanHorn was called to a disturbance at the corner of Main Street and Meridian Street where live music was being played outside in conjunction with Jasonville’s homecoming celebration. 

Once on scene, VanHorn called for back-up due to the number of people present. VanHorn observed Chesterfield yelling loudly with multiple people around attempting to calm her down. VanHorn advised Chesterfield multiple times to stop yelling and calm down; however, she continued to be loud and disruptive. VanHorn reported in the probable cause affidavit that her behavior caused members of the public to stop and watch the commotion.

A witness to the events stopped Chief VanHorn to show him video footage of an encounter between Chesterfield and a juvenile victim. During the video, VanHorn wrote in the probable cause affidavit, that a verbal altercation between Chesterfield and the victim can be seen. As the video progresses, the victim backs away from Chesterfield; however, Chesterfield continues to advance toward the victim. Chesterfield could be heard saying “back the f***k up” before lunging at the victim. Chesterfield could then be heard yelling “climb the f**k on it” several times. The victim was heard telling Chesterfield to stay away from her, calling her a “b***h” while backing away. When Chesterfield neared the victim, a shoving match ensued and physical contact was made between Chesterfield and the juvenile victim. The video cut out shortly after that. 

Officer Caden Walker from the Linton Police Department transported Chesterfield to Greene County Jail while VanHorn began interviews. 

VanHorn spoke with the witness who had shared video footage with him. He told VanHorn he and a friend had stopped at a gas station to get drinks and saw his ex-girlfriend, who happened to be the daughter of Chesterfield. The witness told VanHorn they did not talk to her, rather they continued walking. It was then, he said, Chesterfield yelled at him and crossed Main Street to where and and the victim were. He claimed Chesterfield began cursing, asking why they were trying to fight her daughter. He alleged that when the victim asked Chestfield who she was and what her problem was, the two got into a verbal argument. He said the victim backed away from Chesterfield but she continued to get into the face of the victim. The witness said he eventually got in between the two. He said Chesterfield and the victim pushed one another and Chesterfield eventually hit the victim. He admitted to throwing a slushy drink at Chesterfield, not only hitting her, but a bystander as well. Several unidentified males grabbed the witness and asked him why he was hitting girls. The witness told VanHorn that at this time, he was pushed into a window, breaking the window. 

The victim said she and the witness were walking when Chesterfield came up to them and began talking to the witness. She said Chesterfield was yelling at and being aggressive toward the witness. The victim said she asked Chesterfield who she was and Chesterfield put her hands on her so she defended herself. She claimed she did not see the witness throw anything but she did see him get pushed into the window. 

VanHorn pulled footage of the incident from the city’s security camera. The camera is motion activated and is only triggered by close motion so it cut out and jumped forward a bit; however, it showed Chesterfield walking across Main Street and approaching the witness. It also showed the victim walking to Chesterfield and the witness. The video showed shoving between Chesterfield and the victim. The camera captured footage of the witness throwing a drink, hitting Chesterfield. It then showed multiple people entering the area from across the street; however, due to distance and lighting conditions and the jumping due to lack of motion the individuals involved in the window getting broken could not be identified. 

Chesterfield’s was set at $500 surety with 10% cash allowed. She posted $50 and was released on September 25. She appeared in Greene Superior Court on Sept. 30 and has been charged with battery, a Class B Misdemeanor and disorderly conduct, a Class B Misdemeanor.