WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — An Occupy Winston-Salem protester arrested outside city hall as police broke up a meeting last year has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
William Bryan Bridge, 21, was arrested Dec. 20 as police asked about 20 protesters to leave the southwest lawn. Winston-Salem Police said the group had stayed longer than the city ordinance at the time allowed.
Exclusive video captured by FOX8 showed Bridge shouting profanities, which police said were directed toward law enforcement. Police then went to arrest Bridge, and video of the arrest can be seen above.
Bridge was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting or delaying a public officer. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on Tuesday as part of a plea deal.
A judge gave Bridge a 45-day suspended jail sentence and placed him on 18 months unsupervised probation. Bridge’s attorney said they agreed to the deal after weighing the First Amendment case with his previous convictions. Those convictions include felony possession with intent to sell or deliver narcotics, multiple misdemeanors and several probation violations.
