> Blogger arrested, held, and fined $200 for texting image of Shrek's penis to state senator

Jurors found Donald "D.J." Byrnes guilty of harassing Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, for texting an explicit image of Shrek and two messages in the wake of Cirino's failed bid to lead the Ohio Senate as its president. Visiting Judge Michael Cicconetti told Byrnes to have no contact with Cirino, including text messages, but this was not an official no-contact order. Cicconetti also ordered Byrnes to pay a $200 fine.

The Oct. 9 verdict sided with the prosecution, which argued the text was not protected free speech. Byrnes, the author of the political Substack called The Rooster that was critical of Cirino, was charged with one count of telecommunications harassment, a first-degree misdemeanor. The verdict came less than 30 minutes after deliberations began Oct. 9, the second day of the trial.

Byrnes texted Cirino on May 6, just after Cirino withdrew from the race for the next Ohio Senate president. Byrnes first sent Cirino the image of Shrek, which showed Shrek holding his penis, before sending two messages.

Ohio State Highway Patrol officers arrested Byrnes on June 1. Byrnes was released from jail the day after his wife posted 10% of the $3,500 bond, his wife Rachel Wenning testified.

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