By Sharon Coolidge
The Cincinnati Enquirer

REVELERS

Eight people were convicted in last year's Cinco de Mayo rioting at the University of Cincinnati. Here's what happened in the other cases: • Jacob Heap, 22, of West Chester, sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay $8,325 in restitution on charges of aggravated riot and attempted arson. • Joseph Himmelstein, 19, of Fay Apartments, sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $8,325 in restitution on a charge of aggravated rioting. • Justyn King, 20, of Hamilton, sentenced to two years probation and order to pay $3,999 in restitution on charges of rioting and criminal damage. • Robert Mathews, 19, of Anderson Township, sentenced to one month and 15 days of probation and to pay $500 in restitution on a charge of knowingly damaging property. • Anthony Hartlaub, 22, of Harrison, sentenced to 30 days in jail, a year of probation and to pay $2,500 restitution on charges of rioting and criminal damage. • Jonathan Bowling, 20, of Harrison, sentenced to a year of probation and to pay $250 restitution on a charge of aggravated rioting. • Christopher Rowswell, 20, of Anderson Township, sentenced to one year of probation and to pay $200 restitution on a charge of rioting.

The last of eight people convicted of causing a riot after a Cinco de Mayo party near the University of Cincinnati last year was sentenced Thursday in Hamilton County Court.

"No Cinco de Mayo celebrations - don't you go near one," Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Ethna Cooper admonished Brandon Thomas.

Cooper sentenced Thomas, 19, of Hamilton, to 18 months probation, 200 hours of community service and counseling for alcohol use, and ordered him to pay a part of the $3,300 restitution for a ruined car.

Thomas pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor charge of rioting. The conviction forced him to quit the Air Force, according to his attorney.

Hoping to quell such violence this weekend during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, UC officials have warned students that if they are convicted of rioting, they will face immediate expulsion and loss of financial aid for two years.

The penalties come under a new state law, which also says that conviction on charges of failure to disperse or misconduct at an emergency will result in loss of financial aid.

Cincinnati police have increased patrols in an effort to curb out-of-control revelry around the "Cinco de Stratford" party. For two consecutive years, the party - named for a street near the campus - turned into a melee with cars overturned, couches set on fire and beer bottles thrown at officers.

Of the 10 people arrested last year, two men were acquitted. The other eight were ordered to pay between $200 and $8,500. One was sentenced to jail.

E-mail scoolidge@enquirer.com