A blogger has been accused of sending an image of Shrek’s ‘manhood’. He has been charged with a first degree misdemeanour of telecommunications harassment
A blogger has been arrested after allegedly sending ‘penis pictures’ of the DreamWorks character Shrek to a state senator nicknamed “Little Mussolini”.
D.J. Byrne, who goes by the Rooster, was arrested at the Ohio Statehouse in Ohio, US. His arrest warrant alleges that he sent two images to a person, identified as J.C, with the intention to harass them.
Max Littman, one of Byrne’s colleagues, told The Columbus Dispatch he understands the blogger’s arrest was due to texting the senator Jerry Cirino “photos of cartoon character Shrek’s penis”. Byrne also regularly called the 74-year-old Republican state senator “Little Mussolini”, according to US media.
Littman added: “If that is in fact true, that he was arrested over that, then it’s blatant targeting a political opponent and journalist.” The Ohio attorney Scott Pullins has supported Littman’s account of events and has taken to X to dub Byrne’s arrest as “reprehensible”
Taking to the social media platform Pullins said: “I want to say a few things about D.J. Byrnes, The Rooster. I do not agree with 90% of his politics. I do not like how he treated his ex who is a valued colleague and a dear friend. But what happened to him yesterday is reprehensible.
“He allegedly sent two texts and a cartoon of Shrek’s penis which is readily found on the internet. He was charged with a first degree misdemeanour telecommunications harassment and a warrant was put out for his arrest.”
Signal Ohio reports that the Senator has claimed he “did not request any such thing” when asked about Byrnes’ arrest. Byrne has been released after being held at the county jail house overnight. The blogger who was released on bond has issued a statement and has said the facts will prove his innocence.
Byrne has said: “The work of shining a light on the wretched and decaying underbelly of Ohio politics is too important to be sidetracked by this attempted interference.” If Byrne is convicted the blogger faces a maximum prison sentence of 180 days behind bars and a fine of up to $1000.
The DreamWorks character Shrek has been a household name since the ogre’s debut in the 2001 film, named Shrek. Shrek 5 is expected to be released on June 30 2027 with the Shrek’s original voice actor Michael Myers expected to return for the beloved sequel.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .