David Lesh, the social media instigator, will not go to jail for his first criminal conviction in over 20 years.
Summit County district judge Karen Romeo sentenced Lesh, 39, to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service and anger management for a misdemeanor assault in 2023. A local jury convicted him last month.
Romeo said she is “hard-pressed” to give jail time for a first-time misdemeanor assault. Lesh has one prior criminal conviction for felony eluding at 18 years old. Several other charges, including Federal petty offenses for trespassing on U.S Forest Service property, are pending.
Romeo’s ruling came after deputy district attorney Lauren Crisera requested 20 days in jail. Crisera often referred to other high-profile cases where Lesh flaunted allegedly illegal activity on social media.
“Mr. Lesh’s behavior in and outside of this case has shown a disdain for law and order and clear belief he is above the law,” Crisera said. “He clearly seems to believe he can act in any way that he wants and there are not going to be consequences.”
The court also heard from Lesh’s lawyer, Colleen Kelly, and three friends, including Lesh’s girlfriend of seven years.
“He is a person of deep integrity, self-reflection and emotional stability,” she said. She continued, “While I may not be able to change to public narrative surrounding this case, I deeply appreciate your consideration of the full picture of who David is.”
Before sentencing, Romeo commented on Lesh’s public persona, saying, “I underestimated how many folks had heard of you or knew of some other incidents.”
The judge continued, “If you’re generous and you’re compassionate and you’re a man of high integrity, and you deescalate things, where was that man that day?”
Lesh declined to speak, citing a possible appeal in this case.