Andrew Truelove, 41, was ordered held at Rikers Island without bail after allegedly violating probation tied to a previous criminal mischief charge. Truelove is accused of entering an unauthorized area of NBC's Rockefeller Center studios on July 16, approaching co-host Craig Melvin, and hurling a racial slur.
Authorities initially stated Truelove was searching for Al Roker but encountered Melvin instead. He now faces hate crime charges including felony burglary and misdemeanor menacing. He was remanded to Rikers Island on Wednesday.
Truelove has a criminal history in Virginia, including a 2007 conviction for attempted abduction of an 8-year-old. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with six years suspended, followed by 10 years of probation. During that court proceeding, a psychiatrist testified that Truelove exhibited symptoms of bipolar disorder and had stopped taking his medication. His Virginia rap sheet also includes charges for trespassing, property destruction, making bomb threats, and multiple probation violations.
Following the incident, Melvin stated he was unharmed and looking forward to returning to the show. "Today" show producers addressed the incident, confirming that an intruder entered an unauthorized area and was quickly detained by security and law enforcement. The show is cooperating with the NYPD investigation and is reviewing its security protocols. A security guard reportedly involved in the incident was fired.