The “self-proclaimed social media star” Ryan C. Nihart, 26, of Citrus County, was found guilty on charges of misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief, according to the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 7th Judicial Circuit.
Authorities accused Nihart of beating up a 41-year-old man with disabilities named Jamie Roehm, who was dressed as one of the “Minions” from the children’s film Despicable Me, on July 8, 2018. The employee was outside in the character suit promoting Jungle George’s, a Main Street business on the Daytona Beach boardwalk.
Nihart, who was reportedly trying to make a viral video, spun Roehm around a few times, slammed him on the ground and kicked him while in the suit.
“So I do want to apologize to anybody I offended or offend with my situation,” Nihart later said on Facebook, according to the Miami Herald. “I was trying to give you guys a funny video with no ill intentions. I mean no harm and still love everyone and just want to make you all happy.”
Nihart was sentenced Monday to 10 days in the Volusia County Jail. He was also ordered to pay for the damaged Minion suit and enroll in a moral recognition therapy course as part of his year-long probation sentence, the state attorney’s office says.
Stay on top of Orlando news and views. Sign up for our weekly Headlines newsletter.
Related Stories
This article appears in Jan 23-29, 2019.