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Fan Pleads Not Guilty In "DWTS" Incident

A man who police say had guns, duct tape and love letters in his car when he tried to jump a security fence in an attempt to meet "Dancing With The Stars" contestant Shawn Johnson pleaded not guilty Thursday to stalking and other charges, reports Early Show national correspondent Hattie Kauffman.

Robert O'Ryan was arrested Tuesday at the studio where the ABC show is produced. Authorities say they found a loaded pistol, a shotgun, duct tape and love letters in a car he drove from Florida to meet the 17-year-old Olympic gymnast.

O'Ryan, 34, was charged Thursday with one felony count of stalking and two misdemeanor counts of carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle. Wearing a red shirt and khaki pants, with long brown hair to his waist and a beard, O'Ryan tried to hide behind his attorney as he was arraigned in Los Angeles Superior Court.

His bail was raised from $35,000 to $220,000, and a trial date of April 27 was set. If convicted, O'Ryan could face up to four years in prison.


Photos: "Dancing With The Stars"

Public defender Dwight Corum represented O'Ryan in court, though records did not indicate whether he had been assigned a lawyer beyond Thursday.

Residents in the Florida trailer park where O'Ryan lives say that he mostly kept to himself.

"He didn't get to know nobody," said Philip Rothman, who owns the trailer park. "He'd get his mail and say 'Hello' and 'Goodbye,' and that was it."

A restraining order requested by Johnson's parents said she was "in fear of her life" was issued Wednesday against O'Ryan. A statement by Johnson's mother, Teri, states that she was told by police that O'Ryan believed he was meant to have a child with her daughter.

Detective Jeff Dunn, who works with the Los Angeles Police Department's threat management unit, says a large number of the suspects he sees have mental health issues.

"When you see a fan progress from innocuous letters or phone calls to trying to confront the object of their fixation -- that's a real red flag," he said.

Other stars who have had stalkers include Britney Spears, Uma Thurman and Madonna, and it's not just a problem for celebrities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, almost 3.5 million Americans also say they have been stalked.

"Shawn is 17, but she is mature and is feeling very comfortable and confident because she feels that everyone has handled this matter quickly and efficiently across the board," Johnson's attorney, Phillip Cohen, said after the arraignment. He also added she is back at practice on the show.

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