Colorado Springs youth basketball coach arrested for assault

The Colorado Springs Police Department says officers arrested a youth basketball coach after a fight during a game on Sunday.

William Thomas Harris, also known as Trey Harris, was arrested for felony second-degree assault. Police say the incident happened inside the gymnasium of Colorado Springs Christian Schools. Harris is listed as the owner of PLUTO Basketball, which is a local organization that hosts games and teaching clinics.

Lt. Jim Sokolik with CSPD said Harris was arrested on Monday after the victim of the fight contacted them.

“He became involved in a physical altercation with one of the officials there, striking that person,” Sokolik said. “That person sustained serious bodily injury, so Mr. Harris was arrested for second-degree assault.”

The affidavit of probable cause states the victim is Charles Chestnut, who was assisting to officiate the basketball game. According to Chestnut, he and Harris were continually arguing during the game. When Chestnut stood up from the officiating table, he says he was immediately punched by Harris once to his left cheek with a closed fist. Chestnut stated Harris then pushed him, which caused him to fall into several chairs, fracturing his jaw.

The affidavit also shows Harris was contacted by police after the incident. In the course of the argument, Harris said Chestnut threatened to “kill” him and that he punched Chestnut to defend himself.

A spokesperson for Colorado Springs Christian Schools clarified that they did not sponsor the event but that their basketball court was rented out that day by a third party.

We spoke with Harris, who declined to comment.

KRDO Only 2019