The student expelled from Ohio State for his involvement in the post-Michigan game riots received his jail sentence Monday.
Benjamin Salzman, along with another man, appeared before Judge Anne Taylor in the Franklin County Municipal Court.
Salzman, a freshman at OSU, received 15 days in jail, 40 hours of community service and two years of probation for his involvement in the riots that occurred early morning on Nov. 24.
“My emotions just got the best of me,” Salzman said to local media outside the courtroom.
Gary Ciapetta, one of the victims of the riot, spoke at the sentencing. His 1997 Dodge Avenger was one of many cars overturned on East 13th Avenue during the riots.
“I don’t understand why these kids think that they have the right to destroy other people’s property,” Ciapetta said.
In addition to his sentence, Salzman was ordered to pay $100 to help cover the $250 insurance deductible Ciapetta had to pay.
Seth Haley of Dayton also was sentenced Monday after pleading no contest to one count of rioting. Haley, who is not an OSU student, received 10 days in jail, 80 hours of community service and two years of probation. He was ordered to pay $100 to Ciapetta.
Bill Hall, vice president for Student Affairs, said he hopes the sentence serves as a deterrent for other students.
“Nothing restores the damage caused by the riots. I think the sentence demonstrates how seriously the community and university regards these crimes,” Hall said.
