Maine man Ronald Staples charged with assaulting journalist Joe Sokol
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A Maine man is facing charges after a viral video showed him allegedly attacking a local journalist during a Democrat-led protest.
Undated video released on Tuesday It shows The Maine Wire’s Joe Sokol speaking to demonstrators at a protest challenging President Donald Trump in the city of Bangor, among other political flashpoints.
“When we find out someone is not a good person, we don’t vote for them,” a woman holding a sign with an upside-down American flag can be heard telling Sokol.
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An anti-Donald Trump protester is apparently facing assault charges after a viral video emerged of him allegedly shoving a Maine Wire journalist at an undated event. (Getty Images)
As Sokol walks away after a short interview with the woman, a man wearing a white shirt and carrying a banner reading “Health 4 is all” can be seen pushing the journalist and the cameraman.
As the man walks away, Sokol can be heard saying, “Whoa, whoa, that’s an attack.”
As the man quickly walks away from Sokol, a woman carrying an American flag can be seen following him, placing a hand on his shoulder and apologizing profusely.
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Protesters wave American flags and hold banners during a ‘No to Kings’ demonstration. (Fox News Digital)
Sokol then confronted the man, asking “Why did you do this?” he asks.
“I didn’t see you,” the man responded as he walked through a small line of demonstrators, each carrying signs pushing anti-Trump rhetoric.
“Excuse me sir, would you like to tell me why you attacked me?” Sokol asked. “Do you want to tell me why you attacked me?”
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US President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington DC (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
The man does not appear to respond to Sokol as the unidentified woman issues a series of apologies to the journalist.
“I’m sorry, we don’t do that,” the woman can be heard telling Sokol.
In another clip, Sokol is seen trying to interview another man at the protest, when the same man allegedly turns back to Sokol before elbowing him.
The man does not appear to speak to Sokol throughout the video, and details about any confrontation remain unclear.
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The incident was later reported to the Bangor Police Department, and the man’s identity was confirmed to Fox News Digital as 78-year-old Ronald Staples of the nearby city of Holden.
Staples is facing an assault charge, according to police.
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Authorities have not yet released details about what transpired after the alleged attack or the events that unfolded in its immediate aftermath.
Fox News Digital reached out to Staples and Maine Wire for comment but did not receive a response.
