#Georgia man who slapped reporter’s butt pleads guilty to sexual battery

A Georgia man caught on video slapping a TV reporter on the behind while she was covering a community foot race has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery and sentenced to a year of probation, according to a report.

Thomas Callaway also was ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and fined $1,000 after entering his plea, WGXA reported, citing records filed in Chatham County Recorder’s Court.

The 44-year-old was arrested days after reporter Alex Bozarjian filed a police report against him. She had been reporting live from the Savannah Bridge Run 10K when Callaway slapped her butt.

Footage of the incident showed several runners playfully waving at the camera as they ran past the reporter. Callaway, a youth minister, was captured running up and smacking Bozarjian.

In obvious shock, she paused her newscast for a few seconds, then continued speaking into the camera.

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

Callaway said 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,” he told Inside Edition.