A Georgia man who slapped a female reporter’s rear end during a live newscast pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery on Tuesday.
Thomas Callaway, 44, has been sentenced to a year on probation, and he was fined $1,000, according to CBS News, which cited records filed in the Chatham County Recorder’s Court. Callaway also must perform 200 hours of community service.
Alex Bozarjian of WSAV in Savannah, Georgia, was covering the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run in December when a runner, Callaway, slapped her behind as he ran past. Video of the live broadcast showed a shocked Bozarjian after being struck as she quickly looked around. He was arrested for a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery days later.
“To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me,” tweeted Bozarjian at the time of the incident. “No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better.”
Callaway was given a lifetime ban from future Savannah Sports Council races. He was also banned from the Boy Scouts of America, at which he worked as a Boy Scout troop leader.
He claimed in the aftermath of the incident that he never intended to slap Bozarjian and that 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,” Callaway said.
