UNIVERSITY PARK – State College Borough police announced on Friday the first round of arrests related to the Oct. 26 disturbance in downtown State College that brought 5,000 people into the streets following a Penn State football win over Ohio State. Most of the celebrants were not engaging in criminal behavior, but some individuals began agitating the crowd, climbing light poles and vandalizing property. A large number of people when told by police to disperse did not heed these warnings.
Criminal complaints were filed before Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Grine charging 12 individuals with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses for their participation. Two other people also have been charged with criminal mischief related to the disturbance.
Of the 14 defendants charged to date, 10 are listed as current Penn State students. The range of charges filed includes criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, arson, failure to disperse, resisting arrest and rioting, which is a felony.
The State College Police Department has posted images of several riot suspects on its Web site and is encouraging people to go there to identify the suspects or provide additional information.
The police information related to the 10 Penn State students will be turned over to the University’s Office of Judicial Affairs, where an investigation will begin to determine if these students violated Penn State’s Student Code of Conduct. The Judicial Affairs process has the potential to result in sanctions beyond those issued by the courts and could, in the most severe cases, jeopardize a student’s relationship with the University or derail a student’s normal academic progress.
“Public celebrations are part of the school spirit that is generated by exceptional seasons like we are currently enjoying, but when these celebrations turn into an excuse for the destruction of property and compromise public safety, action must be taken,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs. “Preventing these incidents is a matter of personal responsibility for each individual. Our expectations are that people will celebrate with civility and in more appropriate ways. There are consequences for violating these expectations of responsible behavior.”
Borough police say more charges will be filed next week against additional people accused of participating in the Oct. 26 disturbance.