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The man who threw full cans of hard seltzer at Texas Senator Ted Cruz during Monday’s Houston Astros World Series parade told police: ‘I’m an idiot’.
Joseph Arcidiacono, 33, was brought into a Houston courtroom late Monday evening and charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
After being taken into custody, the man told officers ‘I know, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry,’ according to prosecutors.
The judge set Arcidiacono’s bond at $40,000 – considerably higher than the $100 bond proposed by the public defender, according to ABC 13.
Joseph Arcidiacono, 33, is accused of throwing two full hard seltzer cans at Cruz during the Monday parade for the Houston Astros
She cited a 2003 Texas criminal appeals case that required a deadly weapon object have more than a hypothetical capability of causing death or serious bodily injury.
The attorney said that Arcidiacono was standing about 20 feet away from Cruz and that the officer’s statements in the case don’t meet those requirements.
The public defender on the case said that a 2003 criminal appeals case found that a ‘deadly weapon’ should have more of a hypothetical probability of injuring or killing a person to meet the requirement.
She also argued, according to the news outlet, that Arcidiacono was just 20 feet away from Cruz, meaning that it was hardly probable that the cans would have been deadly.
Arcidiacono was released from jail overnight and was ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor while his case is pending.
He is also required to stay at least 1,000 feet away from Cruz’s home and place of work and is not allowed to make threats against him.
Texas senator Cruz reached out an arm to deflect the can which was launched from the crowd
Arcidiacono is also not allowed to have drugs, alcohol, or firearms during his criminal proceedings, according to ABC 13.
Prosecutors also said that it was bystanders who caught the man trying to flee and brought him to police officers after the incident.
During his initial appearance in court, Arcidiacono was seen wearing a Houston Astros jersey in a video obtained by ABC 13.
The man is next set to appear in court on Wednesday.
Arcidiacono appeared in court wearing an Astros jersey late Monday evening
A GoFundMe has already been started for Arcidiacono and has raised $2,000 since being posted Tuesday morning.
‘After seeing the video and listening to the crowd I believe Joseph was under pressure and frustration and happened to throw beer at Ted,’ organizers wrote.
‘Although he was very apologetic I believe he need our help because we understand his frustration! We don’t incite violence but we believe Joseph should be home,’ Purposed for the People wrote in the fundraiser’s description.
One person who donated $10 to the campaign wrote: ‘Here’s a couple bucks to buy some more beer, and thank you for standing up to lying spineless Ted Cruz. Cheers my friend.’
Another who gave ‘the cause’ $50 said: ‘Bash the fash! Always! Solidarity.’
A GoFundMe set up for Arcidiacono has raised just over $2,000 as of late Tuesday afternoon
Houston police announced late Monday that a 33-year-old male had been arrested without incident for the now-viral incident, and faces assault charges.
Dramatic footage showed the divisive Republican being targeted as he rode through Houston during the raucous celebrations on Monday.
The senator can be seen moving quickly to block the projectile with his hand – and it comes within inches of striking his head.
Court documents obtained by ABC 13 showed that Cruz was able to dodge the first can but was struck in the arm by the second.
The senator did not require any medical attention, however.
Cruz, riding in the Astros World Series victory parade, was struck on the arm by the can
A minder who’s stood beside Cruz in the military vehicle also leans across to try and block the can.
The minder then points into the crowd and appears to speak into a microphone concealed in his shirt, alerting police to the culprit.
Boos and jeers aimed at Cruz, who was wearing Astros colors, can also be heard in a ten-second clip of the incident.
The attack happened as Cruz was driven in a convoy of politicians which passed near Houston’s City Hall.
The Astros clinched the World Series title by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 of the Fall Classic at Minute Maid Park Saturday night.
Thousands of fans turned out in Houston on Monday to celebrate the victory.
Cruz was struck during the Astros victory parade after their World Series win over the Phillies
Thousands lined the streets of Houston to celebrate after the Astros’ victory on Saturday night
The incident involving Cruz is the second time in recent weeks that the senator has faced abuse from baseball fans.
He was roundly booed by New York Yankees fans on October 23 as he appeared in the Bronx to support the Astros in their down-to-the-wire victory to advance to the World Series.
Photos also showed several spectators flipping the bird at Cruz, while one gave him a resounding thumbs down.
But Cruz – wearing a bright orange shirt to match the Astros’ colors – got the last laugh as he watched Houston advance to the World Series again.
Cell phone footage from a few rows behind Cruz showed at one point he got up out of his seat to shake the hands of other spectators around him.
Cruz waves to a crowd when the Astros faced the Yankees but faced a chorus of loud boos
Cruz (pictured top-left) was also booed as he watched the Astros beat the Yankees in October
But this was met with a chorus of loud boos, with some Yankee fans not holding back in loudly sharing their feelings about the controversial senator.
‘You f***ing loser,’ one could he heard shouting over the boos. ‘Racist piece of s**t,’ another yelled at Cruz.
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