NEWSU.S. Army to Ryan Seacrest: Sorry About the Stalker
Nov. 2 2009, Published 12:31 p.m. ET
As more information on Ryan Seacrest's alleged stalker Chidi Uzomah Jr. comes to light, the U.S. Army has gotten involved to issue a statement on the man, who is a current member of the Army Reserve. "It is disappointing to have a soldier act in that form or fashion, however, we will allow the local police to do their initial investigation, and we will chime in afterwards," Lt. Col. Nathan Banks told E! News.
Banks added that Uzomah is a member of the Civil Affairs Unit, "who goes into places like Afghanistan and Iraq and brings stability into the city, brings normalcy back."
However, Uzomah brought anything but stability last week to the E! campus, after he was arrested while in possession of a knife and seeking out Ryan. TMZ reports that the L.A. County District Attorney's office has charged Uzomah with felony stalking and two misdemeanor counts of disobeying a prior court order. He previously assaulted a guard at Children's Hospital in Orange County and was ordered to stay away from Ryan. The D.A.'s office has accused Uzomah of stalking Ryan between Sept. 15 to Oct. 30, when he was arrested at the E! building where Ryan works on his TV and radio shows.
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
The alleged stalker has a bit of a checkered past within the Army, as well. Sgt. Brian Williams tells E! he didn't fare so well in the ROTC program at Cal State Dominguez Hills between fall 2004 and spring 2008.
"Unfortunately, he was dismissed from the program for academic reasons and other circumstances," Williams said. "He wasn't meeting the requirements and portraying himself as an officer."
"He's a big guy, and I see how he could give off that kind of scary demeanor," adds Williams. You could tell there was kind of something there. He was decent academically, but as the program went on…he was quiet, kind of reserved."
Williams maintains that Uzohmah is innocent until proven guilty, but is unsure whether the Army will take action against him.
"He could possibly be honorably discharged or bad conduct discharged, but it's too early to state because we first have to let the due process happen," he said. "We will wait and be patient and not rush to judgment yet."
