Three men pleaded not guilty on Sept. 20 to participating in a riot stemming from the incidents on Labor Day in Pacific Beach after a crowd threw beer cans, water bottles and other objects to San Diego Police officers.
Although the charge sounds serious, it is only a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. The same trio has also been charged with assaults on police officers.
Ricardo Guzman, 23, of San Diego, allegedly threw a full beer can at an officer during the Sept. 3 melee, according to charges filed by the City Attorney’s Office.
Kenneth Warkocki, 32, of Gig Harbor, Wash., also allegedly threw beer cans at officers.
Andrew Terrell, 20, of Santee, is charged with also throwing four to six beer cans at officers. The City Attorney’s Office says Terrell also picked up a horseshoe stake and “incited a violent response from the crowd.” Terrell is also accused of being a minor in possession of alcohol. All three men are also charged with resisting arrest.
Guzman and Terrell were ordered by San Diego Superior Court Commissioner Robert Rice to return to court on Nov. 5. Warkocki will come back to court on Nov. 6.
All three remain free on their own recognizance. They were the only ones who were not able to post bail after the incident and served three days in jail before they were released.
Not all 15 people who were arrested have had charges filed against them. The District Attorney’s Office decided that no felony conduct occurred, so they did not file any charges, said spokesman Paul Levikow.
The City Attorney’s Office said five other men arrested during the Labor Day brawl will be arraigned in mid-October. They include Valent Rich, 24, Nicholas Bottjar, 23, Dylan Whitman, 26, Willie Kalicocky, 24, David Hull, and Michael Kelly. Ages for Hull and Kelly were not available.