Martin Jesus Ruiz, 24, admitted to sending racist threats to another student earlier this year. He appeared in court on Tuesday. He is now ordered to take an anti-bias class at The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. He was also ordered to three years of probation.
Ruiz pleaded guilty on September 3rd to the charge of interfering with civil rights. This charge came when he threatened another student for what was said on social media.
Ruiz was arrested by campus police a few days after the post went live. They were able to find him because of his appearance in the video and his username. The post stated that Ruiz would find the victim and hang him.
Ruiz has until January to complete the anti-bias course. He also has been ordered to not have any contact with Simmons. Last month Ruiz wrote an apology letter to Simmons. He explained in the letter that he is not a racist and holds no ill-will toward members of the African American community.
Ruiz has stated that at the time of the threat he was angry at the victim. This is because of their reaction towards a rap video created by a friend of Ruiz that had racial remarks. In that period of time, Ruiz became emotional and lashed out.
According to Ruiz’s attorney, Kerry Armstrong, the comments made by Simmons on the rap video were also insensitive, causing Ruiz to lash out. Mr. Armstrong also reported that Ruiz hopes he can put this experience behind him and that he wants to be a teacher someday.
Sources: The San Diego Union Tribune, FOX 5
Kerry L. Armstrong
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