Florida Man Ryan McKenna, aka the “Selfie Kid,” 18, who went viral after posting a selfie with Justin Timberlake at the Superbowl back in 2018, is back in the spotlight after he was arrested in Naples for resisting arrest and battery on a law enforcement officer after allegedly getting drunk and hitting his friend while dining.
Collier County Deputies were dispatched to the California Pizza Kitchen located at the Waterside Shops in Naples after reports of a fight in the restaurant.
Subscribe to Florida Jolt Newsletter!
Upon arrival, they met with the 16-year-old victim, who stated in a sworn written statement that he and McKenna argued while having dinner with friends. At one point, McKenna stood up and shoved the table, according to the arrest affidavit.
McKenna then started yelling “obscenities” at the 16-year-old’s girlfriend, at which point the boy stepped in.
According to McKenna’s Mom, Tracy, her son was not under the influence, and he was only play-fighting with his friend after one of them pulled Ryan’s chair out from under him.
When a deputy asked McKenna for his license, he said he did not have one and would only give the deputy his first name, according to the report.
McKenna reportedly became aggressive with the deputies, waving his arms, yelling, and trying to approach the 16-year-old boy, while they tried to explain to him that shopping center security wanted him escorted off of the property.
They said they attempted to restrain McKenna, but he allegedly continued yelling and tearing cops’ hands off him.
“Ryan’s behavior became aggressive as he began waving his arms and yelling while attempting to approach [the 16-year-old], who was several feet away. In order to prevent Ryan from moving forward and approaching [the 16-year-old], I placed a custodial touch on Ryan’s chest,” the deputy wrote in the arrest report.
McKenna “continued to yell” and resist arrest, at which point two deputies had to pin him to the floor.
McKenna was arrested on charges of obstruction of an officer, resisting arrest, and battery of a law enforcement officer. He was transported to the Naples Jail Center. Where he bonded out of jail
Whoa, looks like the 'Selfie Kid' is in hot water! Justin Timberlake's 'Selfie Kid', Ryan McKenna, was arrested after getting into a mall fight! #Yikes #DontMessWithTheSelfieKid pic.twitter.com/kAPf5NdHJP
— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) February 15, 2023
Justin Timberlake 'Selfie Kid' Arrested: Ryan McKenna In Mall Fight-https://t.co/coaCwMAvZp pic.twitter.com/VnTkZl8qKc
— The Pakistan Times (@dapakistantimes) February 15, 2023
None of the involved parties wished to press charges, according to authorities.
McKenna garnered some initial fame at age 13 after posting his selfie with Justin Timberlake; he became known as the “selfie kid” — now his Instagram handle.
McKenna’s dad said they quickly realized that his son was becoming an internet sensation. “My phone started blowing up,” father John McKenna told the St Paul Pioneer Press at the time. “It died, like, instantly after it happened. We had friends from all over reaching out. I couldn’t believe it.”
Follow Florida Jolt on Twitter
After his famous Superbowl selfie with Timberlake, Ryan has attended various events with high-profile guests. He has 444,000 followers on Instagram, some encouraging him to “post the mugshot” in the comments of his posts.
McKenna is due back in court on March 6.
Other stories you may want to read:
- [Video] NYC Baseball Bat Thug Attacks Random Stranger - July 12, 2023
- California Assembly Blocks Child Trafficking Bill - July 12, 2023
- Georgia Mayor Arrested for Burglary – ‘Do You Know Who the F*** I Am’ - July 10, 2023