The violent street brawl that horrified millions of viewers online last summer is now moving toward justice — and five of the people involved will soon learn how many years they could spend behind bars.
On Monday, five individuals pleaded guilty to charges connected to the brutal fight that erupted in downtown Cincinnati on July 26, 2025, around 3 a.m. at the corner of Fourth and Elm streets.
Four pleaded guilty to felony charges. A fifth pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
What the Viral Video Showed
Footage of the fight spread rapidly across social media, racking up millions of views.
In the clips, a woman is seen being thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious. A man is knocked down and struck more than two dozen times in the head.
The videos sparked widespread outrage and accusations that the attack was racially motivated. Political figures including Vice President JD Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy publicly condemned the footage after it went viral.
Defense attorneys, however, have maintained that the confrontation was triggered after one of the victims directed a racial slur at a member of the group.
Who Pleaded Guilty and What They Face
Jermaine Mathews, 39, faces the harshest potential sentence — up to 4.5 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to aggravated rioting and attempted felonious assault.
Surveillance footage shows Mathews punching a man in the head, then throwing him to the ground and kicking him after the man appeared to slap him. His defense attorney has said the racial slur was directed specifically at Mathews.
Montianez Merriweather, 35, and Aisha Devaughn, 26, each pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and aggravated rioting. Both face up to three years in prison.
Gregory Wright, 33, pleaded guilty to felony theft and misdemeanor rioting. He was accused of ripping a chain from a victim’s neck during the brawl. His most serious charge carries a maximum of 18 months.
Dekyra Vernon, 25, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct.
Two Defendants Still Face Pending Charges
Not everyone in the case has resolved their charges.
Patrick Rosemond, 39, and Dominique Kittle, 38, still have pending charges, according to the Enquirer.
In March, an Ohio judge dismissed a disorderly conduct charge against a White man who authorities had previously identified as one of the victims in the case.
Sentencing Dates Are Set
The five who pleaded guilty are scheduled to be sentenced on May 19 and June 11.
With two defendants still pending and sentencing hearings approaching, this case — one of the most widely watched street violence incidents of last year — is not fully closed yet.
What do you think about the outcome so far? Do the charges fit what happened? Share your thoughts in the comments — this is a case that clearly struck a nerve nationwide.
