Dean Saxton aka Brother Dean, right, was arrested by University of Arizona Police Department on Tuesday September 20, 2016 on the UA campus. Image by Ashlyn Maher

University of Arizona street preacher Brother Dean was arrested Tuesday after campus police said he kicked a student in the chest.

Dean Saxton, 25, was booked into the Pima County jail on assault, said Sgt. Filbert Barrera of the University of Arizona Police Department.

Brother Dean is a fixture on the UA mall and around campus, using a megaphone to tell women they deserve rape and LGBTQ people they are going to hell — among other offensive speeches. He also carries signs and wears t-shirts in the same vein.

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.

University of Arizona women were celebrating on Twitter and Facebook after news spread of his arrest.

Shortly before noon on Tuesday, 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.

Reporting by Carmen Duarte, Arizona Daily Star


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Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@tucson.com or 573-4104. On Twitter: @cduartestar