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Felony Battery Arrest
updated: Oct 22, 2012, 3:09 PM
Source: SBPD
Ryan James Tefft, age 22, of Santa Barbara was arrested for battery resulting in
bodily injury, a felony. The victim, a 26-year old Santa Barbara resident, was
beaten unconscious and sustained a large laceration to his forehead during the
incident.
On October 20, 2012 at 1:58 a.m., SBPD Officer John Thompson and Officer Kody
Cardana responded to a call of a battery that had just occurred at the
intersection of Haley Street and Fig Avenue. The suspect was described as a
white male wearing a Metal Mulisha t-shirt that was last seen running westbound
on Cota Street.
Officer Thompson was in the area within one minute and located the suspect,
Tefft, hiding behind a low wall in the parking lot of 535 Chapala Street. Tefft
had blood on his shirt, hands, and shoes. Upon contact he spontaneously stated
to Officer Thompson that he had just been involved in a fight and that the other
involved party had broken his necklace.
The victim was immediately transported from the scene by paramedics to Cottage
Hospital Emergency Room for treatment. Officer Cardana located two witnesses to
the incident who positively identified Tefft as person who battered the victim.
Investigation indicates the following. Just prior to the incident Tefft and a
companion were standing to the rear of the Santa Barbara Brewing Company at 501
State Street preparing to smoke marijuana. Tefft noticed the victim across the
street urinating behind the Santa Barbara Business College at 506 Chapala
Street. Tefft called out to the victim to warn him about the possibility of
getting caught urinating. The victim then approached Tefft and his companion
and tried to interject himself into their conversation. The victim then fell to
the ground and Tefft assisted him back to his feet. A moment later the victim
started grabbing at Tefft's chest, prompting Tefft to push the victim away and
tell him to back off. Despite this, the victim managed to grab Tefft's silver
necklace, given to him by his deceased father, and break it. Enraged, Tefft
punched the victim on the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Tefft
continued to repeatedly punch and kick the victim on the head, stopping after he
noticed a large amount of blood pooling on the ground beneath it. Tefft then
left the scene and was contacted a moment later by Officer Thompson.
The victim was later contacted at Cottage Hospital and his injuries were
photographed by CSI Officer Beth Lazarus. The victim declined to make a
statement about the incident.
Tefft was booked at Santa Barbara County Jail on the aforementioned charge with
a bail amount of $50,000.00. Photo provided by the Santa Barbara County
Sheriff's Office.
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