‘Sexual battery’: Banned from races and Scouts, rear-slapping runner now arrested on criminal charge

Bozarjian looked shocked in the video, which quickly went viral.

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

Callaway’s identity was discovered by social media users who found out his name using his bib number. He is married with daughters and a youth group leader at his church.

In the fallout of the slap, Callaway was given a lifetime ban from future Savannah Sports Council races. He was also banned from the Boy Scouts of America, where he worked as a Boy Scout troop leader.

Callaway claimed he never intended to slap Bozarjian’s derriere. He said he got “caught up in the moment.”

“I was getting ready to bring my hands up and wave to the camera and to the audience, and there was a misjudge in character and decision-making. I touched her back. I did not know exactly where I touched her,” he said.

Callaway said that had he realized Bozarjian’s reaction, he would have “been embarrassed” and “ashamed.”

“And I would have stopped, turned around, and went back and apologized to her,” he added.

Callaway’s lawyer had previously said that they didn’t expect any criminal charges. The lawyer said that Callaway “did not act with any criminal intentions” and is a “loving husband and father.”

After news of the charges, Gloria Allred, who is representing Bozarjian released a statement that said if the case goes to trial Bozarjian would testify as a witness.

“Alex Boazjian is glas that law enforcement is taking this matter seriously,” Allred said. “She feels that a reporter should be able to do her job without being assaulted.”

The sexual battery charge is punishable by up to one year in jail.