A bodyguard for CNN political analyst April Ryan has been charged with assault after he was caught on video forcibly removing a local journalist from an event where she was speaking.

Charlie Kratovil claims Ryan's bodyguard Joel Morris assaulted him and stole his video camera when he violently removed him from the event in New Jersey on August 3.

The incident, which was caught on surveillance cameras, showed Morris initially taking Kratovil's camera before he grabbed the local journalist and forced him from the venue.

The 30-year-old bodyguard was charged with harassment, assault and theft on Monday.

Charlie Kratovil claims April Ryan's bodyguard Joel Morris assaulted him and stole his video camera when he violently removed him from the event where she was speaking in New Jersey on August 3

Ryan, who is a CNN contributor and works for the American Urban Radio Networks, has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump for attacking the media.

The veteran journalist revealed earlier this year she had hired a bodyguard after receiving threats.

Kratovil, who is the editor of New Brunswick Today, said on Monday that the incident involving Ryan's bodyguard was more than just an assault on him.

'This was an assault on freedom of the press and April Ryan should have immediately condemned the use of violence against a journalist,' he said.

Kratovil said he was invited by a public relations firm to attend the New Jersey Parent Summit where Ryan was a keynote speaker earlier this month.

He said he had been recording other speakers for about two hours without any issues when his run in with Ryan's bodyguard occurred.

Kratovil said a man - since identified as Morris - approached him just before Ryan took to the stage and demanded he take down his camera.

Ryan, who is a CNN contributor and works for the American Urban Radio Networks, has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump for attacking the media. She is pictured above at the event where the incident occurred

The incident, which was caught on surveillance cameras, showed Morris initially taking Kratovil's camera before he grabbed the local journalist and forced him from the venue

Morris (right) initially tried to take Kratovil's camera before he grabbed the local journalist (center) and forced him from the venue

The local journalist said he refused to turn the camera off until he was given a valid reason.

Footage from Kratovil's own camera showed Ryan going up onto the stage before Morris approached and whispered something to her.

Ryan momentarily stopped speaking before telling the crowd: 'When I speak, I don't have news covering my speeches'.

Kratovil's camera then moved abruptly and he could be heard saying: 'Don't touch my camera' and 'Don't you dare, put that down, sir. That's my camera'.

He said he quickly followed Morris into the lobby of the venue in a bid to get his camera back.

Kratovil tweeted out a photo of himself on Monday holding the criminal summons for Morris detailing the charges against him

Moments later, Morris could be seen grabbing Kratovil's arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing him from the venue.

Kratovil has been active on Twitter since the incident calling for Ryan to condemn her bodyguard's actions.

He tweeted out a photo of himself on Monday holding the criminal summons for Morris detailing the charges against him.

Ryan, who has not yet commented publicly about the incident, had slammed Trump in the past for putting a target on the backs of journalists for asking questions he doesn't like.

She often clashed with White House press secretaries Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Sean Spicer during media briefings.

Morris is scheduled to appear in Middlesex County Superior Court on September 12.