Ohio State professor involved in journalist assault pleads no contest to reduced charge

Audrey Coleman
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:12:15 +0000
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Ohio State professor Luke Perez and his attorney Steven Palmer attend Perez’s preliminary hearing on Feb. 23 at the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio. Credit: Sandra Fu | Lantern File Photo

An assistant professor at Ohio State caught on video tackling an independent documentarian pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct Wednesday?

Luke Perez’s plea of no contest, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 2937.07, is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the case, not a definitive guilty plea. The plea means there will be no trial on an assault charge.

Perez was sentenced to serve a 30-day suspended jail term, two years of probation and associated fines, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Court records show that Perez has paid all fees associated with the case.?

Perez tackled documentarian Mike Newman on Feb. 9, after Newman attempted to approach former university president E. Gordon Gee, according to prior Lantern reporting. A video of the incident was recorded by DJ Brynes, the author and founder of local Substack-newsletter, “The Rooster.”?

Perez was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 11, according to a previous Lantern article. He has since remained on leave, according to university spokesperson Chris Booker. A university panel recommended Perez be terminated in June, also according to prior Lantern reporting.?

This is an ongoing story, and The Lantern will update once more information is obtained.