Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes, known as “The Rooster,” was arrested at the Ohio Statehouse and jailed for 23 hours after an alleged text of a NSFW Shrek image to Republican state Sen. Jerry Cirino. Cirino had urged police to file charges after claiming th
The shock wasn’t just what was sent. It was the speed with which it turned into a police matter, and then into a jail cell.
Ohio political blogger D.J. Byrnes—who goes by “The Rooster”—was arrested on Monday at the Ohio Statehouse after he allegedly sent a photo of Shrek’s penis to state Sen. Jerry Cirino (R) last month. The Ohio State Highway Patrol took him into custody, and he spent 23 hours in Franklin County Jail before being released.
Byrnes faces a misdemeanor charge for telecommunications harassment. The allegation centers on a “hyper realistic” depiction of the animated character. described in a detective’s affidavit by a detective with the Kirtland Police Department as showing “an erect humanlike penis engaged in the act of masturbation” directed at the recipient.
Court documents identify the victim only as “J.C.” But people close to the case say the target was Cirino. Byrnes’ colleague Max Littman and Byrnes’ wife, Rachel Wenning, told Signal Ohio that Cirino is the recipient. Cirino. the same senator who has previously been mocked by Byrnes and labeled “Little Mussolini. ” became the focal point of a complaint that started with a message asking that the harassment stop.
The push for action came after Cirino wrote to Kirtland Police Chief Jeremy Fisher about receiving the “pornographic” Shrek image and asked for charges against Byrnes. The department launched a probe that found an article in which Ohio Senate Majority Caucus communications director John Fortney described the blogger as a “security threat.” After that. the department requested an arrest warrant. The warrant was signed by a judge endorsed by Cirino—Marisa L. Cornachio.
When Byrnes posted a statement to social media, he framed the case as a misunderstanding of the facts. “I believe that the facts presented in court will show that I’m innocent of the misdemeanor charge of telecommunications harassment.”
Asked separately about the charge, “The Rooster” responded with a mix of defiance and tease: “Can’t talk specifics but I promise you will laugh when you see.”
Cirino, for his part, did not comment on the case when asked about the misdemeanor charge. But an email Cirino shared described the demand more plainly: “I would like this harassment to stop immediately and I would like charges filed against the individual.” He previously declined seeking Byrnes’ arrest. then later asked police for charges after receiving the Shrek photo.
The arrest has quickly spilled into Ohio politics. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin (D) said she “didn’t realize having the Rooster thrown in jail for annoying me was an option this whole time??? Seems like censorship to me – unacceptable,” posting that reaction to social media.
Niraj Antani, a former GOP state senator, also weighed in on X. He wrote that “no one has been attacked” by Byrnes more than him, then added, “But this is wrong,” followed by a reference to “Freedom of speech in Ohio. Rest in peace. 1803-2026.”
The case now turns on a clash that plays out in real time whenever politics and provocation collide: what counts as “harassment. ” and whether a message sent in the heat of ideological warfare crosses that line. For Byrnes. the fight is headed to court; for Cirino and the police investigation that followed his request. the line had already been reached.
Ohio politics D.J. Byrnes The Rooster Jerry Cirino telecommunications harassment Kirtland Police Ohio Statehouse arrest Shrek penis photo Franklin County Jail Marisa L. Cornachio Jeremy Fisher Shannon Hardin Niraj Antani