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October 31, 2009

'Idol' host Seacrest gets restraining order

The Associated Press Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — A judge granted "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest a temporary restraining order against a man arrested on suspicion of stalking the radio and television host outside his workplace on Friday, court records show.

Seacrest's attorneys obtained the stay-away order hours after they say Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr. was detained at the E! Entertainment Television headquarters in Los Angeles.

The filing claims Uzomah was carrying a knife and was trying to see the popular television and radio host.

Uzomah, 25, is on probation for another incident involving Seacrest. Court records show he pleaded guilty in Orange County, California, last month to three misdemeanors: carrying a switchblade knife, assault and battery. Uzomah was charged after he attacked one of Seacrest's bodyguards outside an event.

"His aggressive and violent efforts to come into physical contact with me are extremely frightening to me," Seacrest wrote in a declaration filed Friday. "They have jeopardized not only my personal safety, but also the safety and well-being of those around me."

Police said Ozomah was arrested and booked on suspicion of stalking. Jail records showed he remained in police custody Friday evening, held on $150,000 bail.

The filing states Uzomah tried to meet Seacrest at radio station KIIS-FM earlier this month, but Seacrest records his show at the E! Entertainment Television headquarters. Besides working as the affable host of "American Idol" Seacrest has numerous other gigs, including producing E! series such as "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

A court hearing on whether to grant a three-year stay-away order against Uzomah will be held on Nov. 17.

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