'Dancing's' Shawn Johnson gets a stalker, then a bodyguard

Zap2It.com | March 26, 2009

Shawn Johnson of 'Dancing with the Stars'

Robert O'Ryan was arrested and had two loaded guns in his car

The arrest of an alleged gun-toting fan of Olympian Shawn Johnson has caused the "Dancing With the Stars" competitor to seek protection.

The 17-year-old gymnast has hired an off-duty police officer to shadow her around Los Angeles, according to a TMZ.com source.

On Monday, March 23 Robert O'Ryan was arrested after he allegedly climbed over a fence at the CBS Studios where the reality show films. When approached by security, he told conflicting stories about who he was there to see -- Johnson or Steve-O.

Later, after LAPD apprehended O'Ryan, 34, he told them that he had packed up his life in Florida and drove out to LA to be with Johnson. In his car, officers found a loaded shotgun, a loaded Colt .45 handgun, duct tape, love letters and collectible Johnson items.

O'Ryan has been charged with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. He was in police custody as of Wednesday and has bail set at $35,000.

In a temporary restraining order requested by Teri Johnson, the Olympian's mother, O'Ryan has been instructed to stay 100 yards away from Shawn Johnson, not communicate with her or harrass her family or "Dancing" partner Mark Ballas, who was unaware of the arrest until after the taping of Monday's show.