Steve Granitz/Getty Images; E! NetworksRyan Seacrest is wasting no time shoring up his defenses.
The TV and radio host has secured a temporary restraining order against the man who was arrested in the Comcast Entertainment Group lobby this morning after saying he had business with Seacrest.
Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr., who is being held by Los Angeles police on suspicion of felony stalking, must stay at least 100 yards away from Seacrest's home, car and place of business.
The 25-year-old admitted assault-and-batterer is being held on $150,000 bail. Seacrest's legal camp acted quickly so that Uzomah could be served with the TRO while being interrogated by LAPD Threat Management officers.
Attorney Blair Berk will request a permanent order of protection for her client at a hearing scheduled for Nov. 17. The TRO will remain in effect until then.
Uzomah copped to misdemeanor assault and battery and switchblade possession last month after attacking a security guard who was walking Seacrest to his car following an appearance at Children's Hospital of Orange County.
He was sentenced to 15 days in jail and three years' probation, which probably should have discouraged him from carrying a pocketknife into our lobby today.
"I do not want and have never wanted to be contacted by Mr. Uzomah," Seacrest stated in a declaration filed along with the TRO petition. "I have no interest whatsoever in seeing him or communicating with him as he is a complete stranger to me. His aggressive and violent efforts to come into physical contact with me are extremeley frightening to me.
"They have jeopardized not only my own personal safety, but also the safety and well-being of those around me."
—Reporting by Ken Baker, Whitney English and Claudia Rosenbaum
(Originally published Oct. 30, 2009, at 4:26 p.m. PT)
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What a crazy day it's been! And to think there's been life outside these walls, as evidenced by our Big Picture gallery.