Jason Russell, 'Kony 2012' filmmaker, detained for alleged public masturbation

Jason Russell, the man who with one short film made millions of people more aware about a contemporary evil, was detained by police on Thursday (March 15) in San Diego for allegedly being drunk in public and masturbating in the middle of a street.

Sources tell TMZ that Russell appeared to be under the influence of some kind of substance and was dancing around a San Diego street corner in "Speedo-like underwear" before removing it and proceeding to make gestures lewd enough to warrant police intervention.

A statement from Russell's organization, Invisible Children, reads, "Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition."

It continues:

"He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better. 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."

Russell's film "Kony 2012" details African warlord Joseph Kony's mistreatment of children -- from forcing young boys into armies to pushing underage girls into prostituion. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the film reached more than 100 million viewers when it debuted online in the first week of March.

The filmmaker and father of two is being detained on a 5150 psychiatric hold at a San Diego area hospital.