Jamie Lynn Spears’ Pap Arrested
June 05, 2008
Jamie Lynn Spears and her fiancé Casey Aldridge had a paparazzo arrested this week after he snapped photos of the pair in a small Mississippi town.
Edwin W. Merino, 30, posted bond Tuesday. He is scheduled to appear in court next week.
Authorities in Liberty, Miss., said Merino wouldn’t leave the pregnant Spears and her fiancé, Casey Aldridge, alone.
Merino denied the accusations in a phone interview Wednesday, saying he was about 200 feet away from the couple and using a long lens when he was arrested at a gas station.
Britney Spears’ sister and Aldridge have been the subject of intense attention since she announced her pregnancy in December. The 17-year-old star of Zoey 101 is due early this summer.
Merino said he had little luck taking pictures of the couple and was getting ready to leave the area anyway.
“I’ve seen the young man Casey in pictures,” Merino said. “I haven’t worked on them myself. The first time I got a good look at him was in court.”
Merino has worked as a celebrity photographer for five years—and previously snapped pictures of sister Britney without underwear.
Merino said he was the only photographer following Spears during most of his four days in the Liberty area.
“I just think since I was the only one there, it was just easier for them to single me out,” Merino said.
Merino’s arrest was first reported by the McComb Enterprise-Journal.
Merino said he didn’t spend any significant time in jail. A deputy drove him to three automated teller machines and he got the $1,143 he needed to be released.
In the end, Merino said the trip was a waste.
“The one picture I got was kind of by luck,” he said. “I got lucky when I saw them at Wal-Mart when I was buying deodorant.”
