‘Paranormal State’ Star Faces Simple Assault Charge

Ryan Buell, who founded Penn State’s Paranormal Research Society and starred in the reality television series ‘Paranormal State,’ is again facing legal trouble after an alleged domestic assault in State College.

State College Police were called at about 7:15 p.m. on Friday to a Waupelani Drive apartment where Buell’s boyfriend told police he and Buell had gotten into a verbal argument, according to a criminal complaint. The man reportedly told police that he and Buell began getting into each other’s faces and bumping chests, and that Buell scratched his face.

According to the complaint, the man said he then pushed Buell and that Buell then bit the man’s finger. A police officer observed a deep bite that penetrated the fingernail and skin on the tip of the man’s finger, as well as scratches on his face. EMS determined the injury to the finger required medical attention.

Buell, who did not have any injuries, allegedly told police that he and the man had a verbal argument, but that he did not remember a physical altercation.

Buell, 35, was charged with simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and summary harassment. He was arraigned before District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on Saturday morning and bail was set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

It’s the second time in the past year that Buell has faced trouble with the law in State College. In September he was charged with felony and misdemeanor theft after allegedly renting a car in August and never returning it. He was arrested on a warrant in South Carolina after the rental agency and State College Police reportedly made multiple attempts over the course of about six weeks to contact Buell about returning the car.

According to court records, a non-jury trial in that case is scheduled for May 18.