Runner accused of slapping reporter's butt on live TV now charged with sexual battery
A 44-year-old man accused of inappropriately touching a female reporter during live coverage of a 5K race in Georgia has been charged with sexual battery, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.
Thomas Callaway, from Statesboro, Georgia, posted a $1,300 bond Friday after turning himself in to authorities.
Callaway was among the participants in last weekend's annual Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run, which WSAV-TV reporter Alex Bozarjian was covering live.
In a video clip that has gotten 10 million views, Bozarjian was describing the race when one of the runners, wearing glasses and a blue, long-sleeve shirt, slapped her on the bottom. Bozarjian appeared visibly disturbed by the incident.
She later addressed the incident in tweets: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."
You 'objectified' me: Georgia reporter hits back after a man slapped her butt
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Callaway, who gave an on-camera apology the local station aired Tuesday, initially said he was raising his arm trying to pat her on the back or the shoulder and didn't realize until seeing the video that he had touched her buttocks.
He told the Statesboro Herald that he made a mistake: “I made a wrong decision, a horrible mistake that can’t be taken back. I am embarrassed and ashamed and offer my sincerest apologies to Ms. Alex.”
WSAV-TV quoted Bozarjian's attorney, Gloria Allred, as saying in a brief email: “Alex is looking forward to justice in this case.”
In Georgia, sexual battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. State law defines the crime as making “physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of another person without the consent of that person.”
In a series of tweets, the Savannah Sports Council, which hosted the event, denounced the runner's behavior and banned him from participating in future races.
The TV station called the incident "reprehensible and completely unacceptable."
"No one should ever be disrespected in this manner," the statement said, adding that "the safety and protection of our employees is WSAV-TV’s highest priority."
"WSAV continues to support Alex completely as this case moves forward," it said.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reporter Alex Bozarjian slapped: Runner Thomas Callaway charged
