The viral “Face-Plant Guy” video from Denver’s October 18, 2025 “No Kings” protest captured international attention. The clip shows a man chasing protesters, tripping face-first, losing his sunglasses, and then being confronted by another protester who picked the glasses off his face and walked away. Denver police later arrested a man accused of stealing those sunglasses, while clarifying that he was not the person who tripped “Face-Plant Guy.” The alleged “tripper” remains unidentified.

This unusual mix of mockery, physical contact, and petty theft raises questions about how Oklahoma law would treat similar conduct if it happened in Oklahoma City, Norman, or Tulsa. Below, we analyze both the tripping and the sunglasses-theft portions under Oklahoma criminal statutes.

Translating the Scenario to Oklahoma Law

Although the viral clip came from Colorado, Oklahomans are asking: “If something like that happened here, what charges could prosecutors file?” Below we map the behaviors depicted in reporting to Oklahoma statutes. These are examples only—facts drive charges.

1) The “Trip” — Assault and Battery Under Oklahoma Law

Oklahoma defines assault as an unlawful attempt or offer with force or violence to do bodily harm (21 O.S. § 641) and battery as the actual unlawful use of force or violence upon another (21 O.S. § 642). Tripping someone intentionally—especially in a crowd—could easily satisfy the definition of battery. If the “Face-Plant Guy” suffered injuries like a bone fracture, protracted and obvious disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body part, organ or mental faculty, or substantial risk of death, that could elevate to aggravated assault and battery under 21 O.S. § 646.

Importantly, Oklahoma law does not require significant harm for a basic battery. Even a light shove or deliberate trip qualifies if it’s willful and without lawful justification. The fact that the event occurred during a protest does not immunize the act from criminal liability, although context could influence prosecutorial discretion.

2) The “Sunglasses Theft” — Petit Larceny and Theft From Person

The second half of the viral moment—when a protester plucked sunglasses from the fallen man’s face—fits neatly into Oklahoma’s larceny framework. Larceny is defined as the taking of personal property accomplished by fraud or stealth and with intent to deprive another thereof (21 O.S. § 1701).

If the glasses were worth under $1,000, the act could be charged as petit larceny (21 O.S. § 1704), a misdemeanor. However, Oklahoma law also recognizes the distinct offense of larceny from the person (21 O.S. § 1704), which carries stiffer penalties because the property was taken directly off someone’s body—similar to pickpocketing. The sunglasses incident, happening while the victim lay dazed on the ground, could qualify as that more serious form.

3) Disorderly Conduct & Protest Context

Protests often create a gray area between constitutionally protected expression and criminal disturbance. Under 21 O.S. § 1362, “disturbing the peace” applies when loud, abusive, or tumultuous behavior disrupts the peace and quiet of others. If an Oklahoma protest turned chaotic, multiple charges—assault, larceny, and disorderly conduct—could emerge from the same brief event.

4) Disturbing a Lawful Assembly

Willfully disturbing or breaking up a lawful assembly can be a misdemeanor under 21 O.S. § 1361 if the protest is lawful and non-violent. :

5) Obstructing Public Ways (Local/State)

Blocking streets or sidewalks may trigger state or municipal offenses—e.g., 21 O.S. § 1754 (obstructing public highway) or local ordinances. Exact applicability depends on route, permits, and police orders.

6) Obstructing an Officer

Interfering with officers performing duties can be charged under 21 O.S. § 540 (misdemeanor), separate from your First Amendment right to record.

Lessons for Oklahoma Protesters

• Speech is largely protected under the First Amendment—but physical acts (like tripping or theft) are not.
• Even “minor” contact at a protest can escalate into criminal liability if someone is injured.
• Taking property, even for a joke or retaliation, constitutes theft under Oklahoma law.
• Protest-adjacent charges (disturbing the peace/assembly, obstructing public ways, obstructing an officer) often accompany crowd events when conduct crosses legal lines.

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