Tommy Callaway has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery. Callaway was recently running a race in Savannah, Georgia, when he smacked a reporter named Alex Bozarjian on the backside while she was broadcasting.
A video of the incident went viral, and Twitter users were able to identify him.
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. https://t.co/PRLXkBY5hn
— Alex Bozarjian (@wsavalexb) December 7, 2019
WSAV-TV is reporting that Callaway turned himself in to authorities on Friday, but was released on a $1,300 bond. He could face up to a year in jail.
Along with working in sales at a tobacco company, Callaway is a youth group leader at his church and also served as a Boy Scout leader.
Last week, he did an interview at WSAV, where Bozarjian works, and apologized, saying, “Alex, I am sorry. I did not mean to do this. I think you’re a great, great asset to this community and to the local media and to the national media. You’re very talented. You’re an amazing woman from what I’ve gathered, and I apologize.”
In a statement to CBS News, Bozarjian discussed pursuing criminal charges, saying, ”I want to make it clear that this doesn’t mean I can’t/won’t forgive him. I hope to get to that point eventually, but as in any sexual assault case, it has to be on my terms when I’m ready.”
