TV Reporter Filing Criminal Charges Against Pastor Who Assaulted Her During Race
JakeThomas
Georgia TV reporter Alex Bozarjian is seeking criminal charges against the youth pastor who slapped her backside on live television during her coverage of the 10K in Savannah on Saturday, according to NBC News.
Bozarjian filed a sexual battery report with the Savannah Police Department yesterday, the news outlet reported, and said she wants the police to pursue charges against the man.
That man’s identity was discovered to be Thomas Callaway, a 42-year-old married father of two who is also a youth pastor involved with Boy Scouts.
Savannah police told NBC News that the matter is under investigation.
In video of the incident, Bozarjian is noticeably shocked when Callaway makes contact, which she said was not only violating but also painful: “He separates himself from the runners and he kind of winds up and, you know, he hit me hard. It was a heavy impact."
Callaway has publicly apologized for his actions, saying, “It was an awful act and an awful mistake.” But Bozarjian said she is unsure whether she is ready to accept his apology.
"I think what is most important here is that he took my power, and I’m trying to take that back. And whether I am open to it or not, I want to take my time with that," she said.
