November Rioting Results In Jail Sentence For Penn State Student

A Penn State student will serve at least 30 days in prison after he pulled down a light pole during the downtown riot the night Joe Paterno was fired.

Ryland Boggess, 19, entered a plea deal Thursday with the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, where he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct, District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said.

When he reports to the Centre County Correctional Facility on April 6, Boggess could spend as much as 23 1/2 months in prison, she said, and does not have the option to serve his sentence under house arrest.

A felony count of riot was dropped as part of his plea deal, according to court documents.

Boggess must serve 12 months’ probation consecutive to his release, complete 100 hours of community service and pay restitution of nearly $4,000, Parks Miller said.

After the Penn State board announced Paterno had been fired on the evening of Nov. 9, students and others incited a riot downtown that caused property damage and left a news van toppled.

The State College Police Department said that charges were filed against at least 45 people.