Awkward: ‘Kony 2012’ filmmaker arrested for public masturbation, vandalism

Jason Russell, co-founder of non-profit Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" viral video campaign, poses in New York on March 9. Photo by REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Well, this is awkward: The L.A. Times is reporting that filmmaker Jason Russell, whose Youtube video “Kony 2012” about Ugandan war lord Joseph Kony went viral last week, garnering 80 million views and spawning a social justice movement, was reportedly found “masturbating in public and vandalizing cars,” according to San Diego police.

That’s certainly one way to enlarge your message.

Read more at the L.A. Times:

Ben Keesey, CEO of Invisible Children, released a statement saying that Russell was hospitalized and suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition.

“He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better,” according to the statement. “The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Jason’s passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue. We will always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire family privacy during this difficult time.”