MESA, Ariz. ― An Arizona State University professor who accused campus police of excessive force when they arrested her agreed to a plea deal Wednesday.
Ersula Ore pleaded guilty in Maricopa County Superior Court in Mesa to one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.
In exchange, three other charges, including a felony count of aggravated assault, were dismissed.
A message left with Ore’s attorney Wednesday was not immediately returned.
ASU police say Ore was stopped May 20 for walking in the middle of a street near campus and refused to show any identification. They say she kicked an officer in the shin after being handcuffed.
The school says a review found Officer Stewart Ferrin neither racially profiled the English professor, who is Black, nor used excessive force. However, the university asked the FBI to determine if there were any civil rights violations.
School officials say Ore is a valued faculty member, teacher and mentor.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 1.
