Why was Robert O'Neill arrested? Navy SEAL who helped kill Osama Bin Laden faces multiple charges
FRISCO, TEXAS: Robert J O'Neill was arrested in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, August 23 for misdemeanor charges of assault causing bodily injury and public intoxication.
On the same day, the former Navy SEAL was released on a bond of $3,500, reported New York Post.
Who is Robert O'Neill?
O'Neill who claims to have killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011 reportedly joined the military as a sniper after a breakup.
The 47-year-old became part of the SEAL team six years after he enlisted in 1996.
He has been part of several missions and has won multiple awards, including commendation medals, Silver Stars, and Bronze Star.
O'Neill's account of killing Laden during Operation Neptune Spear was contested by other SEALS.
Matt Bissonnette, former Navy SEAL and author of 'No Easy Day' wrote in the book that the killing shots were fired by the actual point man and not O'Neill.
However, the US government has not officially confirmed or denied O'Neill's claims and he has been criticized for breaking the code of silence among special forces personnel.
In an anonymous interview in 2013, he revealed to Rob O'Neill claiming he fatally shot the terrorist leader.
Fellow special forces personnel leaked O'Neill's identity after they were upset about him breaking the code of silence which prohibited public acknowledgment of their actions.
The Double Nickel. https://t.co/uncVAz6OgC pic.twitter.com/cHc2rf6Oj8
— Robert J. O'Neill (@mchooyah) July 30, 2023
Robert O'Neill's life post-military service
O'Neill who gained popularity through his controversial claim is now an entrepreneur who has quite a sizable following on social media.
The 41-year-old recounted the story of killing the terrorist leader in his memoir 'The Operator' which was published in 2017. He has also written a book titled 'The Way Forward'.
Personalized and signed. Within reason… https://t.co/iJit9Wq78b pic.twitter.com/Wq4jfHRNR5
— Robert J. O'Neill (@mchooyah) August 5, 2023
The veteran is the founder of the Special Operators Transition Foundation, an organization that "assists SOF veterans with the successful transition into their next great careers," according to their Instagram.
O'Neill who has now become a public figure is the host of his own podcast 'The Operator.'
The Double Nickel. https://t.co/gSHke6ML0o pic.twitter.com/Qaq2GuOrJ0
— Robert J. O'Neill (@mchooyah) July 31, 2023
O'Neill is also one of the backers of a Virginia microbrewer named Armed Forces Brewing Co which was begun was born amid the controversial sponsorship of Bud Light's by LGBTQ influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Robert O'Neill's arrest in 2016
O'Neill's recent arrest took place while he was in Texas to record a podcast episode at a local cigar lounge.
He has previously been busted for driving drunk in Montana in 2016. According to CBS News, prosecutors later dropped the charges against the outspoken vet.
In 2020, O'Neill was banned by Delta Airlines for refusing to wear a mask.