Street preacher 'Brother Dean' faces charges of assaulting UA student

A "street preacher," who uses offensive language toward women and others on the University of Arizona campus, was arrested Tuesday after kicking a student in the chest, police said.

Dean Saxton, 25, referred to as "Brother Dean" by some was booked into the Pima County jail on assault, said Sgt. Filbert Barrera of the University of Arizona Police Department.

Shortly before noon, police received several 911 calls about a disturbance in front of the administration building at the UA mall, Barrera said.

When officers arrived, they spoke to witnesses and it was determined that Saxton had assaulted a student, Barrera said. He said the student walked up to Saxton to engage in conversation and "she was kicked in the chest."

Tucson Fire Department paramedics tended to the woman at the scene, and she did not need further medical attention, Barrera said.

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UA police have had numerous contacts with Saxton over the years as a "mall preacher who says disgusting things to women and others that most find offensive," Barrera said.

Saxton's messages, which are protected under the First Amendment, cover topics including race, religion, sex and women's attire, Barrera said. He said Saxton uses derogatory language when he voices his opinions on the mall.

Saxton is not a UA student and police check-in regularly when he speaks to make sure "everything is OK," said Barrera.

Saxton "usually preaches" in front of the administration building — sometimes once a week and other times daily for a week. He appears sporadically, Barrera said.

He was assaulted earlier this year by a woman with a baseball bat outside a school in Glendale, according to media reports. He was using a megaphone to preach to high school students when he was attacked, media reports stated.