A runner accused of slapping and grabbing the backside of a female reporter during a race in Georgia last weekend was arrested Friday on a misdemeanor charge of sexual battery.
NBC News reports 43-year-old Thomas Callaway was arrested after turning himself in to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Savannah PD confirmed to NBC News Saturday. He was released on $1,300 bail.
The Dec. 7 incident, which went viral on social media, happened while WSAV reporter Alex Bozarjian was in the middle of a live-broadcast as runners taking part in the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run streamed past.
The charge comes days after Bozarjian filed a sexual battery report with the Savannah Police Department, saying that she wanted them to pursue charges against the man who groped and slapped her.
She told police that he slapped and grabbed her buttocks in one motion as he ran past on the Talmadge Bridge, according to the complaint.
Bozarjian tweeted her outrage about the incident later that day, writing “No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!!”
That statement as of early Saturday had been retweeted more than 200,000 times and had more than 735,000 "likes."
Callaway has been banned from all future races by the Savannah Sports Council, which sponsored the run.
Callaway has told WSAV that he is sorry.
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