A Maine comic book artist is facing a criminal assault charge stemming from the alleged attack on a Maine Wire reporter covering an anti-ICE protest in Biddeford earlier this month.
Bob Tkacik, a freelance comic book artist known for his work on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, has been charged with assault in connection with the July 13 incident involving Maine Wire reporter Jon Fetherston. The case is expected to be heard in Biddeford District Court unless it is resolved beforehand through the York County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Fetherston was covering an anti-ICE demonstration in downtown Biddeford when he was allegedly struck with a skateboard, shoved, spat on, and repeatedly harassed while livestreaming from the scene. The attack reportedly knocked his cellphone to the ground and interrupted his live coverage. The incident has since been cataloged by the Tracker as an assault on a journalist and damage to journalistic equipment.
The alleged assault quickly drew national and international attention. The incident was covered by Fox News and Newsmax, while Britain’s Daily Express also reported on the attack during Fetherston’s live television coverage, bringing broader attention to concerns over the safety of journalists covering politically charged demonstrations.
The Maine Press Association also condemned the violence, issuing a public statement denouncing attacks on working journalists and reaffirming that reporters must be able to cover news events without fear of intimidation or physical assault. The organization called violence against members of the press unacceptable and urged respect for the First Amendment and the role of journalists in a free society.
The criminal case will be prosecuted by the York County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Kathryn M. Slattery. As with all criminal defendants, Tkacik is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Biddeford incident was not the only attack on a Maine Wire journalist documented this month. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker also recorded the assault of Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol while he was covering a protest in Bangor, adding to growing concerns over violence and intimidation directed at members of the press in Maine.
The alleged assault on Fetherston has become part of a broader discussion about the increasing hostility journalists face while covering contentious public events. Press freedom advocates have warned that physical attacks and intimidation of reporters undermine the public’s ability to receive firsthand reporting from demonstrations and other news events.
A court date has not yet been publicly announced. If no plea agreement is reached before the scheduled hearing, the case is expected to proceed through the York County court system.
