The bodyguard for CNN analyst April Ryan has been charged with assault following an August incident during which he is accused by a journalist of forcibly removing him from an event.
According to reports, Joel Morris has been charged with harassment, assault and theft in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
New Brunswick Today editor Charlie Kratovil has maintained Morris violently removed him from an event at the Heldrich Hotel on Aug. 3, tweeting his version of events and sharing a video of the removal.
“I’m pleased to report that the Municipal Court has found probable cause to charge Joel Morris, the bodyguard for April Ryan, with three different criminal offenses related to the unfortunate incident that happened here in our city Aug. 3,” he said in a video posted to Twitter Monday, noting he filed the harassment, assault, and theft complaints.
“Joel Morris stole the camera and high-tailed it out of the room. One thing led to another. I ended up being assaulted after retrieving the camera but now, Mr. Morris is going to have to show up on Sept. 12, right around the corner from here in Superior Court, because that theft charge is an indictable third-degree crime in the state of New Jersey,” he said.
A CNN representative did not immediately return request for comment.