Alleged Shawn Johnson Stalker Arrested After Sneaking Onto Dancing Set

Parents get a restraining order against a 34-year-old man who allegedly told police he moved from Florida to be with the Olympic gymnast

By Natalie Finn Mar 26, 2009 12:52 AMTags
DWTS, Shawn Johnson, Mark BallasABC/KELSEY MCNEAL

In addition to newfound fame, Shawn Johnson has acquired some new fans, for better or for worse.

The 17-year-old gymnast has obtained a restraining order against a man who was arrested early Tuesday morning after jumping the fence at CBS studios, where Dancing With the Stars is taped, with the intention of getting close to his favorite contestant.

Per court documents filed by Johnson's parents, Los Angeles police found a "a loaded .45 handgun, a loaded shotgun, and materials classically used for kidnapping including duct tape, zip ties [and] a map to the victim" in 34-year-old Robert O'Ryan's car, which officers searched a day after after CBS security questioned him on the lot and called the cops.

"Also found were love letters, clippings and other information on the victim [Johnson]," the petition continued.

O'Ryan is said to have told police upon being taken into custody that he had packed all his belongings and left his life in Florida to be with Johnson in California.

"He believes that she speaks to him personally through the television set and through ESP and that they will have a child together, he stated he would be with her no matter what," the petition says.

Johnson "is in fear for her life, she is extremely upset by this incident and her entire family and those around are all extremely concerned and fearful that [O'Ryan] might try to kidnap her or harm her in an effort to make good on his statements," the papers state.

The restraining order mandates that O'Ryan stay away from Johnson, her mom and dad, and her Dancing partner, Mark Ballas.

O'Ryan, who has been booked on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun in public, is being held in lieu of $35,000 bail.

"The matter has been turned over to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney's office," a rep for Johnson said in a statement to E! News. "It is currently an ongoing investigation and we are confident that it will be handled appropriately by all involved."

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