SAVANNAH, GA. (THECOUNT) — Tommy Callaway, the Georgia runner accused of slapping and grabbing the backside of female reporter, Alex Bozarjian, during a race in Georgia last weekend, was arrested Friday and charged with a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.
Callaway, who was identified as the “Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run” marathon runner who smacked the WSAV reporter on the rump as he trotted by during a live hit, is now facing charges over the incident.
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Callaway has also been charged with “grabbing” the female reporter.
WSAV condemned Callaway’s behavior.
“The conduct displayed toward Alex Bozarjian during her live coverage of Saturday’s Savannah Bridge Run was reprehensible and completely unacceptable,” the station said last week. “No one should ever be disrespected in this manner.” Sexual battery is punishable by a year in prison in Georgia.
Bozarjian was not amused when Callaway smacked her on the behind during an on-air segment.
Callaway has since been banned for life from participating in future runs.
After the incident, Bozarjian took to Twitter to voice her displeasure:
“@wsavalexb 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.”
In the video, Bozarjian was not at all happy with the guy – and later said of the incident, “You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me,” reports TMZ Monday morning.
“No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better,” Bozarjian concluded.
Race officials promised to find the man and punish him – and less than 24 hours later – they did just that, reportedly banning him for life.
In a statement from the Savannah Sports Council, they said they identified the man and banned him from future events FOR LIFE — saying, “We will not tolerate behavior like this at a Savannah Sports Council event.”
The org added, “Enmarket and the Savannah Sports Council take this matter extremely seriously and fully condemn this individual’s actions.”
Unclear if police are also involved at this point.
Check out this jerk smacking a @WSAV reporter's ass live on air. And sorry, that's my kiddo making horribly timed weird noises in the background. pic.twitter.com/6tzi6P1Jbo
— Tonya (@GrrrlZilla) December 7, 2019
DEVELOPING::
Geo quick facts: Savannah, a coastal Georgia city, is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It’s known for manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages and antebellum architecture. Its historic district is filled with cobblestoned squares and parks such as Forsyth Park shaded by oak trees covered with Spanish moss. At the center of this picturesque district is the landmark, Gothic-Revival Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist – wikipedia.