Bieber’s security guard arrested on Kauai for allegedly assaulting photographer

Kauai police arrested a 32-year-old man believed to be one of pop star Justin Bieber’s security guards after he allegedly assaulted a man taking photos of Bieber at Shipwreck’s Beach in Poipu. 

Police arrested Dwayne Patterson, 32, of Florida Wednesday on suspicion of third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage. He was released after he posted $3,000 bail. 

Shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the parking lot at Shipwreck’s to investigate an assault. A 29-year-old Hanalei man was taking unsolicited photos of the group that Patterson was with at the time, according to Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane. Patterson approached the man and requested he delete the photos. When the man refused, Patterson allegedly assaulted the man and damaged his camera, according to Blaine. No injuries were reported and the man refused medical attention. 

The Garden Island reported the Hanalei man was allegedly taking photos of Bieber who was at the beach jumping off the bluff. A witness, Levi Lancaster of Koloa, described Patterson as one of Bieber’s security guards. 

Lancaster said he saw the photographer sprint to the parking lot while two security guards, one suspected to be Patterson, chased him. He told the Garden Island that Patterson allegedly “put the man in a headlock and lifted him off the ground until he dropped his camera and keys.”

A photo of Bieber jumping off a cliff was posted Thursday on Bieber’s Twitter account.