Worcester bouncer posts bail, due back in court

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The bouncer accused in a beat down in Worcester was in court on Tuesday where he was official arraigned on charges of kidnapping and assault and battery.

The incident happened last year, but the video was posted on YouTube last month.

Strip club bouncer Easton Byfield, 35, entered a not guilty plea in court, but prosecutors said they have a copy of the video posted on YouTube that proves their case.

“That video did end up on YouTube and at this point in time your honor the Commonwealth does have copies of that,” said prosecutor Marc Dupuis.

Byfield was arrested on charges that he and another bouncer locked a patron at the Platinum Premiere Club in the bathroom last May so he couldn’t escape. According to police, Byfield then punched the victim four times.

According to prosecutors, Byfield then took $300 from the victim’s wallet.

“This defendant struck the victim several times in the face,” said Dupuis. “It’s also shown in the video that he locked the door and prevented this person from leaving.”

Prosecutors also maintain that when the video surfaced on YouTube last month, Byfield went to Worcester police filing a report saying the victim assaulted him. But the video shows differently and Byfield is also being charged for filing a false report.

“I did have conversations with Mr. Byfield,” said Dupuis. “Originally he stated that he was the victim in the case, but the video does not hold that out.”

Byfield did not want to comment after court on Tuesday. He is due back in court later in the month after he posted the $7,500 bail. Byfield was ordered to stay away from the victim.

Worcester police are investigating to see if Byfield has done something similar in the past.

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