JOLIET, IL — Brandon Kelly, a prominent figure in Joliet’s business community as the owner of Undisputed Strength gym and fitness center on Essington Road, finds himself at the center of a controversy following an altercation with Joliet police officers. On September 27, 2023, during a fitness class in the early morning hours, Kelly was tased and subsequently arrested, leading to the filing of two counts of resisting a peace officer against him by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The incident, captured on police body cameras, commenced when officers responded to a noise complaint made by a nearby homeowner and arrived at Undisputed Strength, where Kelly was teaching a fitness class. In the video footage, Kelly is seen ordering the officers to leave his property, expressing his frustration at the interruption of his class. Despite his insistence, the officers entered the gym, leading to a physical altercation, during which Kelly was tased.
Following his arrest, Kelly secured the services of downtown Joliet criminal defense lawyer Chuck Bretz, who vows to mount a robust defense on the two charges of resisting a peace officer.
Chuck Bretz, a seasoned Will County criminal defense attorney, expressed his astonishment at the events of September 27, arguing that the Joliet police officers failed to conduct a proper investigation into the validity of the noise complaint. Even if the complaint had merit, Bretz contended that the officers escalated the situation, turning a city noise ordinance violation, punishable by a fine, into a violent confrontation that resulted in Kelly’s arrest and the use of a Taser in front of his fitness class attendees.
Bretz further noted the absence of an explicit declaration of arrest during the encounter, stating, “They’ve charged him with resisting, but do you hear anybody telling him he’s under arrest? They did not do a proper investigation to see if he was even in violation of anything. They came inside the business without permission, didn’t have authority to be there, and physically assaulted him, tasering the owner in front of his customers during a fitness class he was coaching.”
In the wake of his arrest, Kelly posted a video on his Facebook page titled “Hi, I’m Out,” in which he assured his supporters of his well-being and readiness to accept the consequences for the incident.
The legal proceedings surrounding Brandon Kelly’s case are poised to shed light on the nature of his arrest and the actions of the Joliet police officers involved. The community will be closely following the developments as the case unfolds.
