Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- July 26, 2019
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Targets
- Chappin Everett (KRDO-TV)
- Assailant
- Private individual
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
Case likely sealed for business owner who pushed TV journalists
The case against the business owner who pushed two journalists while they were attempting to interview him has likely been sealed.
Photojournalist Chappin Everett and reporter Stephanie Sierra were reporting a piece for KRDO-TV on illicit spas in Southern Colorado, and went to a business owned by Michael Reeg in July 2019 to interview him about a spa that was leasing property from him.
As soon as Sierra asked him about the spa, Reeg told the journalists to leave, took a swipe at Everett’s camera, and pushed both Sierra and Everett out the door. Everett told the police that aside from losing a rubber eyepiece, the camera was unharmed.
KRDO reported at the time that the police had issued Reeg a citation for harassment. But a representative for the Colorado Springs Police Department told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker via email on Nov. 20, 2023, that “a public criminal record does not exist” for Reeg and pointed to Colorado law on sealing of records, which allows for sealing following an arrest if there was an acquittal or if charges were not filed or were dropped.
A KRDO News Channel 13 photojournalist was attacked while attempting to conduct an interview in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 26, 2019.
Chief photojournalist Chappin Everett walked into Tri-Star Masonry with reporter Stephanie Sierra at approximately 12:30 p.m. looking to interview the owner, Michael Reeg, in connection with the station’s investigative reporting on illicit spas in Southern Colorado, KRDO reported.
In the video published by KRDO, Reeg initially agrees to answer Sierra’s questions. When her first question mentions the spa leasing property from Reeg, he cuts her off, tells them to leave and moves toward her.
“Why don’t you guys get the hell out of here,” Reeg is heard saying. “I’m telling you to get the hell out of my place. And get that camera out of here.” Reeg can be seen moving past Sierra toward Everett, growing hostile as he attempts to swipe the camera away. A second unidentified man seems to attempt to prevent Reeg from hitting the camera.
The video becomes shaky as the camera is jostled, and it appears that both Sierra and Everett are pushed out of the door. Once outside, Reeg again swipes at the camera and an object can be heard hitting the ground.
Everett can be heard saying, “That is pricey. I can’t wait for you to pay for my new camera.” Reeg responds, “You’re on private property, asshole.”
According to the police report released to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Everett told officers over the phone that a rubber eyepiece may have been knocked off the camera, but otherwise there was no damage to the equipment.
Officers issued Reeg a citation for harassment.
Everett told the Tracker that he would like to reserve comment until the incident has been fully resolved.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
