Man who slapped female reporter's bottom on live TV arrested

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Man who slapped female reporter's bottom on live TV arrested

Associated Press in Savannah, Georgia
Sat 14 Dec 2019 12.48 GMT
Last modified on Sat 14 Dec 2019 13.17 GMT

A Georgia man who was videotaped slapping a female reporter’s bottom on live TV was arrested on Friday on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.

A Savannah police spokeswoman, Bianca Johnson, confirmed that Thomas Callaway, 43, of Statesboro was charged in connection with the incident that occurred while WSAV-TV reporter Alex Bozarjian was broadcasting live as runners streamed past her on a prominent bridge in the coastal city.

“The conduct displayed toward Alex Bozarjian during her live coverage of Saturday’s Savannah Bridge Run was reprehensible and completely unacceptable,” the Savannah TV station said in a statement.

“No one should ever be disrespected in this manner. The safety and protection of our employees is WSAV-TV’s highest priority.”

Jail records showed Callaway was booked on Friday afternoon. His attorney, Joseph Turner, declined to comment.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/14/man-slapped-female-reporter-bottom-live-tv-arrested

[IADEMO2004]

1. Man's gonna have the "Statesboro Blues"

with Taj Mahal and Gregg Allman. Dumb Ass Stunt.

[BuffaloJackalope]

2. Good

[Lexee]

3. Hit. He hit a total stranger for no reason. That is a crime.

[Stargazer09]

4. Good.

He had no right whatsoever to hit anyone like that.

It’s obvious that she wasn’t expecting it, she didn’t know the guy (so not a playful swat between friends), and he hit her hard enough to shock her into silence.

The dumbass actually thought he could get away with it, because he didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he did. I am so thankful she decided to press charges.

[Demovictory9]

26. "I am so thankful she decided to press charges."

me too

[Demovictory9]

5. Good

[Nature Man]

6. Bust him out as a lifelong sex offender

let him live with THAT shit.

[Johnny2X2X]

7. Why is this a national story?

Sure, he was wrong and is a creep, but how did this go national?

[paleotn]

14. Oh, so reporting on what amounts to a sexual assault is "keeping the public in a state or rage"?

Or is slapping women you don't know on the ass just part of the acceptable male repertoire? Well, at least he didn't stab her to death, so all in all it's OK? Is that what you mean?

[Hortensis]

20. If you're feeling a little assaulted yourself, no wonder.

I don't personally believe the vast majority of media are attempting to keep people in a state of rage. But whatever the causes, these are obviously very emotional times for some.

[cab67]

11. Because the video went viral.

[Niagara]

22. Because he violated her

This is unacceptable. Period.

People need to learn that there are consequences for their inappropriate actions.

[Johnny2X2X]

27. It is unacceptable

But a national story? No one disputes what he did was wrong, but this is just another story to get people outraged.

[JonLP24]

28. A news reporter was filmed while this happened

It went viral all over social media. I'm not surprised it is a national story since it was a news reporter that it happened to.

[Skittles]

25. it's a good lesson for men to learn

STOP UNWANTED TOUCHING - ENOUGH ALREADY

[jeffreyi]

8. Note to self:

Oh, never mind. Good heavens.

[aikoaiko]

10. As a local, I was worried he was going to skate -- it took a week to arrest.

He was charged with sexual battery which it was.

It was just revealed that Gloria Allred is the reporter's attorney and I wonder if that motivated the police to take action.

I hope she sues as well.

After a similar incident involving a Savannah waitress at a pizza place, the ass-grabber was arrested on the spot after watching the video, but he was a tourist and not a local guy in relatively good standing.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-shows-waitress-body-slam-man-who-groped-her-emelia-holden-savannah-georgia/

I say relatively good standing because I hear he has a past batter charge (not sexual though).

[cwydro]

13. I saw in another thread you said the Boy Scouts cut him loose too.

Is that true? I hope so.

What a creep, and he’s still lying about it.

[aikoaiko]

15. Yes, the Washington Examiner is reporting a BSA statement, although I can't find it online myself

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/deplorable-boy-scouts-of-america-cuts-ties-with-rear-slapping-runner

Following Bozarjian’s viral tweet, the public learned that Callaway was a church youth group leader and a Boy Scout troop leader. In response to Callaway’s behavior, the Boy Scouts of America announced that they were parting ways with Callaway.

“Upon learning of this incident, we immediately removed this individual and prohibited him from any future participation in our programs,” the organization said in a statement. “This behavior runs counter to Scouting’s values and everything we teach our members about treating others with dignity and respect. The [Boy Scouts of America] takes this type of conduct very seriously, and we always consider what is best for our youth members, staff, and volunteers when making these decisions.”

[cwydro]

16. Good, they don't need that kind of example.

He looks so creepy in that video. So obvious what he was doing.

[aikoaiko]

17. Here is the link to an old Statesboro Herald police blotter about the prior

https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/crime-report/police-report-may-28/

Thomas Reuben Callaway, 33, Walden Way ‚ simple battery, obstructing persons making emergency phone calls, second degree criminal damage to property.

Which sounds a lot like domestic violence, but I speculate.

[cwydro]

18. It does sound like that, doesn't it?

“Obstructing persons making emergency phone calls.” Hmm.

[RockRaven]

30. That does sound like a domestic violence incident translated into criminal charges (to me anyway).

But as you noted, that is an inference/speculation.

I suppose it could be something like a argument-turned-violent with a neighbor or random man-on-the-street rather than domestic violence specifically.

For example: Amidst some sort of beefing, asshole throws a punch (battery), some/the other dude whips out his phone to call cops (or maybe actually record it for social media virality but with a retroactive claim that intent was to call cops) and asshole knocks it out of his hand (obstructing) and the phone breaks upon hitting the ground (damage).

In any case, this guy is no boy scout. [ sorry, I had to... ]

[Iggo]

21. He lied during his apology. And it was obvious.

Maybe they would have arrested him anyway. I don't know.

But real contrition goes a long way.

[Rustyeye77]

23. Good... 20-30 years sounds about right.

Nt

[USALiberal]

31. Silly! Nt

[VOX]

24. GOOD.

That asshole deserves punishment. Let other grabby assholes know that this “behavior” is reprehensible and will not be tolerated.

[nocoincidences]

29. If this jerk did the same thing

to a male reporter, what do you think the media would say about that?

Women are PEOPLE.

You don't get to touch any people without their permission.

Not rocket science or brain surgery.

If you are male and don't understand...go away. You don't belong here.

[Polybius]

32. Wow, what a creep

I can't stand butt-slappers, it's the ultimate invasion of space and sexual assault. What's wrong with people?

[UniteFightBack]

33. Is this guy going to use the 'dump defense' ? The fake prezident grabs pussies...whats a little

ass?