Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes, a.ok.a. “The Rooster,” was arrested Monday after he allegedly despatched a photograph of Shrek’s penis to a state senator final month.
Byrnes, who is thought for utilizing confrontational techniques to report for his progressive publication, texted the snap of the ogre’s “male components” to Ohio state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R), a supply informed Columbus’ NBC affiliate WCMH-TV.
Ohio State Freeway Patrol arrested him on the Ohio Statehouse earlier than he spent 23 hours in Franklin County Jail. He faces a misdemeanor cost for telecommunications harassment.
The picture, per an affidavit by a detective with the Kirtland Police Division, featured a “hyper real looking” depiction of the character with “‘an erect humanlike penis engaged within the act of masturbation’ to the sufferer.”
Whereas courtroom paperwork determine the sufferer merely as “J.C.,” Byrnes’ colleague Max Littman and Byrnes’ spouse, Rachel Wenning, informed Sign Ohio that Cirino — who has been mocked by the blogger and known as “Little Mussolini” — is the recipient.
After Cirino wrote to Kirtland Police Chief Jeremy Fisher about receiving the “pornographic” Shrek snap and pushed for fees in opposition to Byrnes, the division launched a probe that discovered an article the place Ohio Senate Majority Caucus communications director John Fortney described the blogger as a “safety menace,” Sign Ohio famous.
The division later requested an arrest warrant, which was later signed by Cirino-endorsed Decide Marisa L. Cornachio.
Byrnes, in an announcement shared to social media, wrote, “I consider that the information introduced in courtroom will present that I’m harmless of the misdemeanor cost of telecommunications harassment.”
When requested individually concerning the misdemeanor cost, “The Rooster” crowed, “Can’t speak specifics however I promise you’ll giggle if you see.”
Quite a few Ohio politicians have since taken problem with Byrnes’ arrest, together with Columbus Metropolis Council President Shannon Hardin (D).
“Didn’t notice having the Rooster thrown in jail for annoying me was an choice this entire time??? Looks like censorship to me – unacceptable,” Hardin wrote on social media.
And Niraj Antani, a former GOP state senator, confused on X that “nobody has been attacked” by Byrnes greater than him.
“However that is fallacious,” he wrote. “Freedom of speech in Ohio. Relaxation in peace. 1803-2026.”