FRISCO, TEXAS: Robert J O'Neill, the former Navy SEAL famously known for his role in the operation that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden, has been accused of using a racial slur against a security guard during an altercation outside a hotel bar.
O'Neill, 47, was arrested on charges of assault causing bodily injury and public intoxication after an altercation with a security guard at a hotel bar in Frisco, Texas.
Robert O'Neill's altercation at Frisco Hotel bar
The incident took place last Wednesday, August 23, at the Omni at The Star, where O'Neill had been recording a podcast at a cigar lounge. According to reports, O'Neill had fallen asleep while drinking at the hotel bar.
When a security guard attempted to assist him to his room on the fifth floor, offering the use of a wheelchair, O'Neill allegedly became confrontational.
The hotel security officer, who wished to remain anonymous, described the incident to the police.
"[O’Neill] turned to him, rose[sic] his fists in the air, and struck him in his chest with his right palm,” the hotel security officer stated. “Robert called him a ‘f*****g n****r’” when he allegedly struck him.
The guard, shocked by the assault, backed away while expressing disbelief. “I can’t believe you just hit me,” he stated, per the police report.
Robert O'Neill denies allegation
Allegations against O'Neill intensified as the security guard claimed that the racial slur was repeated during the altercation. O'Neill, however, denied using any offensive language.
“I have honorably and proudly served my country for half my life in battles all over the world, standing shoulder to shoulder with men of all races, religions, and sexual orientations,” O’Neill told the New York Post.
“The color of one’s skin doesn’t matter when your life is on the line. The idea that I would use a racial slur against anyone is so preposterous, so beyond offensive to not only myself but all of my brothers who have served and fought with me; I deny it in the strongest terms," O'Neill added.
On Monday, August 28, he tweeted, "I categorically deny ever using this horrible language recently reported."
Authorities arrived at the scene and found O'Neill displaying signs of intoxication.
The arresting officer reported, "Robert had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from his body as well as red glassy eyes. Corporal Anderson observed that Robert was holding a silver credit card in his hand. Robert pressed the card against the lock trying to open the room."
When asked how much he had had to drink, O'Neill repeatedly stated, "We good."
The former Navy SEAL was subsequently booked into jail in Collin County and released on a $3,500 bond. He now faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury and a Class C misdemeanor charge of public intoxication.
This is not the first time O'Neill has faced legal trouble since gaining fame for his involvement in Operation Neptune Spear. In 2016, he was arrested in Montana for drunk driving, but the charges were later dropped by prosecutors.
Following his military career, O'Neill transitioned into the world of media, becoming a podcaster and commentator on military matters. He has often shared his views on various subjects, including the US Navy's recruitment strategies.
Notably, in May, he expressed outrage at the Navy's decision to feature a drag queen as part of a recruitment program. O'Neill took to Twitter to express his discontent, stating, "I can't believe [he] fought for this bulls**t."
He referred to the Navy's digital ambassador program, which featured Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, known by the stage name Harpy Daniels. "Alright. The U.S. Navy is now using an enlisted sailor Drag Queen as a recruiter," he wrote. "I'm done. China is going to destroy us."
The program, which aimed to reach a diverse pool of potential candidates for military recruitment, concluded in March 2023. Kelley's involvement in the program marked an attempt by the Navy to engage with a broader audience, per the Daily Mail.
