CNN’s April Ryan’s bodyguard charged with assault, accused of dragging journalist out of event

The bodyguard for CNN’s April Ryan was charged with assault Monday after he was accused of forcibly removing a journalist and grabbing his equipment while Ms. Ryan spoke at a summit on Aug. 3.

“This was more than just an assault on me. This was an assault on freedom of the press,” New Brunswick Today editor Charlie Kratovil said in a video Monday.

Mr. Kratovil said he was invited by a public relations firm to cover the New Jersey Parent Summit at The Heldrich Hotel and spent two hours filming without problems.

However, when the White House correspondent took the stage, Mr. Kratovil claims the bodyguard grabbed his camera and allegedly led him out of the event with his arm twisted behind his back.

After his removal, Ms. Ryan allegedly told the crowd, “when I speak, I don’t have news covering my speech,” according to Fox News.

In the lobby, hotel security footage shows the bodyguard bringing the camera to the front desk shortly followed by Mr. Kratovil, who continually grabbed for his equipment. The bodyguard then appeared to grab Mr. Kratovil and forcibly drag him out of the camera’s view, while Mr. Kratovil screamed “get off of me” and “I was an invited guest!”

Newsweek posted Joel Morris’ court summons, which includes charges of harassment, assault and theft.

Despite Ms. Ryan being a vocal advocate of journalists rights under President Trump — even writing a book about the challenges — Ms. Ryan hasn’t commented on the journalist’s removal. 

“Her silence is deafening at this point. It’s been more than two weeks. Anybody who’s a journalist should be condemning this,” Mr. Kratovil said to NJ.com.