Youth Minister Who Slapped Reporter’s Butt On Live TV Has Been Arrested, Faces A Year In Jail

A Georgia man is facing up to a year in jail after slapping the butt of a news reporter on live TV during a 10K race. Besides the possible incarceration, the reporter looks to be gearing up for a punitive lawsuit against the man for the alleged sexual assault.

Thomas Callaway, who is a youth minister, was running in the Savannah Bridge Run 10K on Saturday. Alex Bozarjian was also at the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run and covering the foot race for WSAV News 3. Many runners ran by Alex during her live coverage by making funny faces and smiling for the camera, but Callaway decided it was a fantastic idea to slap the butt of Bozarjian during the live broadcast.

Bozarjian is visibly shocked by the slap to the backside and is momentarily distracted by the physical contact. Her disposition quickly goes from festive to bewildered and exasperated. Video of the NBC-affiliate reporter being hit has been viewed over 12 million times on Twitter.

Bozarjian addressed the situation on Twitter. “To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me,” she wrote. “No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better.”

Soon, the man’s identity was revealed, and then Callaway attempted to do damage control for his behavior. Tommy Callaway gave an interview to Inside Edition, where he claimed he “got caught up in the moment.”

“I was getting ready to bring my hands up and wave to the camera to the audience; there was a misjudge in character and decision-making,” Callaway said. “I touched her back, I did not know exactly where I touched her.” The video does appear to show Callaway eyeing up the reporter and then slapping her on the butt.

Alex Bozarjian appeared on CBS This Morning to provide her side of the story. “He took my power, and I’m trying to take that back,” Bozarjian said on Tuesday. “I think what it really comes down to is that he helped himself to a part of my body.”

“It’s not okay to help yourself to a woman’s body just because you feel like it… in order to make any kind of change, you have to be a little bit drastic,” she continued. “And you have to… chip away at this toxic culture that permeates our society.”

Bozarjian filed a police report on Monday, and Callaway was arrested by Savannah police on Friday. The 43-year-old Callaway was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery, according to Bianca Johnson of the Savannah Police Department. Sexual battery is punishable by up to one year in jail in Georgia. Callaway was also banned from future Savannah Sports Council races.

Callaway’s lawyer said: “While we regret the situation, Mr. Callaway did not act with any criminal intentions. Tommy is a loving husband and father, who is very active in his community.” Callaway is a married man, the father of two, who works as a youth minister and Boy Scout leader.

“I want to make it clear that this doesn’t mean I can’t/won’t forgive him,” Bozarjian said in a statement. “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.”

It appears that Bozarjian is preparing for a civil case against Callaway after she revealed that she will have infamous lawyer Gloria Allred representing her. Allred has a reputation for taking on high-profile cases, especially ones that deal with women’s rights.

[CBSNews]