The arrests occurred during a demonstration against the detention of a local imam by immigration agents. The protest turned into a confrontation between Covington police and protesters on the John A. Roebling Bridge — where the reporter and photo intern with Cincinnati news outlet CityBeat were taken into custody along with more than a dozen demonstrators.
According to police, those arrested had refused to comply with orders to disperse. Speaking at a press conference, Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti briefly addressed what was known about the reporters in the wake of the incident.
"The one reporter that was right there... she didn't have any credentials whatsoever. She, as a matter of fact, didn't even have an ID on her apparently. So there's nothing to identify her as a reporter. She was ordered to to leave the roadway and she did not," Valenti said.
Fening and Griffith are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Kenton County District Court.
Both are charged with a number of misdemeanors as well as felony rioting.
In defense of its staff, CityBeat has argued their actions are protected under the First Amendment.