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Roger Goodell's bodyguard accused of assaulting NYC photographer

When the police got to the scene, they charged the photographer with second degree assault, a felony, and third degree assault and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors.

By Aileen Graef
National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media at a press conference on Domestic Violence Issues and the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy in New York City on September 19, 2014. Goodell admitted today that he "got it wrong" when it came to the recent Ray Rice incident, pledging that he "will get it right" going forward. UPI/Dennis Van Tine
National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media at a press conference on Domestic Violence Issues and the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy in New York City on September 19, 2014. Goodell admitted today that he "got it wrong" when it came to the recent Ray Rice incident, pledging that he "will get it right" going forward. UPI/Dennis Van Tine | License Photo

NEW YORK, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Roger Goodell's bodyguard Thomas Crowe was accused of assaulting New York Daily News photographer JB Nicholas while trying to photograph the NFL commissioner.

Nicholas was perched outside the NFL's headquarters in New York when Crowe allegedly got out of his vehicle, punched Nicholas and and began choking him.

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"I saw the driver get out of his car very aggressively, grab the photographer, and shout 'You're under arrest, I'm a policeman!'" said witness Joshua Holland. "The driver pulled the photographer off his bike, wrestled him to the ground in the median, and punched him in the face once. Then he was on top of him holding him down with an armbar, a forearm jammed into his neck. He was freaking out and shouting 'I'm a cop! I'm a cop!' I was like, does this guy have a gun? I was a little worried about that."

Nicholas said his eyesight began to darken until he grabbed Crowe's tie and began yelling at him to stop choking him, reports Gothamist.

Crowe was not the one arrested despite the witness accounts.

When the police got to the scene, they charged Nicholas with second degree assault, a felony, and third degree assault and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors. A criminal complaint states Nicholas punched the SUV driver in the face enough to cause swelling and redness, threw his bike at the driver and hit his knee, requiring treatment at a hospital, and keyed the SUV, causing more than $250 in damages.

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Nicholas said he gave police a formal statement regarding the incident but the detective ripped it up. The Detectives' Endowment Association admitted Thomas Crowe is a former NYPD officer.

The NFL has deferred comment.

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