POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL EXCLUSIVE: Akon to face charges from KFEST incident

My colleague here at the Poughkeepsie Journal, John Barry, has just broken the news that rapper Akon (seen below in an AP file photo) will appear in Town of Fishkill court this Monday morning to face several charges stemming from an incident that occurred last June at Dutchess Stadium during a concert put on by local radio station WSPK.

Here's the crux of John's breaking report:
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EXCLUSIVE: Fishkill Police file charges against Akon for KFEST stage toss

By John W. Barry
Poughkeepsie Journal

Charges have been filed against the controversial singer Akon in connection with the 15-year-old fan he tossed off the stage at KFEST in June, according to a press released issued this afternoon by Town of Fishkill Police Chief Donald F. Williams.

Charges of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, a misdemeanor and second-degree harrasment, a violation, have been filed against Akon, Williams said. Akon is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. Monday in Town of Fishkill Court for arraignment on the two charges, Williams said.

During the annual KFEST concert staged by Fishkill-based WSPK (104.7 FM), known as K104, a 15-year-old boy from Harriman, Orange County, was plucked from the crowd by a security guard, hoisted in the air by Akon and hurled back into the crowd.

Several messages have been left Thursday afternoon for WSPK General Manager Jason Finkelberg and Program Director Scotty Mac.

Clintondale resident Heather Idema attended KFEST with her husband and 10-year-old daughter, and supplied the Journal with video footage she took of the incident. Idema said someone in the crowd threw something at Akon, who then asked the crowd to identify that person. The KFEST concertgoer was plucked from the crowd by a security guard and directed toward Akon, who hoisted the fan onto his shoulders and tossed him into the audience.

For John Barry's complete breaking story, head over to the Journal's Web site at www.poughkeepsiejournal.com and check out Friday's newpaper for complete coverage.