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Macon man arrested for assaulting security guard during Donald Trump rally, BSO confirms

When the man refused to remove a "contraband" sign, the sheriff's office says he struck a security guard.

MACON, Ga. — A Macon man was arrested during Donald Trump's rally at the Atrium Health Amphitheater Sunday after he allegedly assaulted event security, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

They say James Thomas Carlan, 42, was approached by the event's private security for holding a "contraband" sign.

While signs are commonplace at rallies, the Trump campaign did not allow "unapproved signage," but Carlan was able to smuggle a sign in, the sheriff's office says. 

Because of that, the sign — which said "My Abuse Should Be On the News" — was not allowed. 

When security told Carlan to remove the sign, the sheriff's office said he refused and that's when the sheriff's office said he struck the guard, working for the company Colorado Security. They provide private security to the Trump campaign.

When Carlan was asked to leave, he denied having struck the security guard, the sheriff's office said. 

However, after the dispute, the sheriff's office arrested Carlan.  

Carlan's arrest prompted a scene at the rally with at least nine sheriff deputies attempting to take him into custody, video from the rally shows. Bibb County Sheriff David Davis watched over the arrest.

The sheriff's office says Carlan has been combative since his arrest, and they have not been able to take his mugshot.

He was charged with battery and was booked into the Bibb County jail. 

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