Soldier from Ky. pleads no contest in attack on homeless Cincinnati man

Soldier pleads no contest in Ohio homeless attack

CINCINNATI — A soldier from Kentucky has pleaded no contest to felonious assault in the beating of a homeless Cincinnati man with a baseball bat and pipe.

Hamilton County court and prosecutors’ officials say 24-year-old Pvt. Riley Feller entered the plea Tuesday to one count of felonious assault. He was released from jail without bond to await sentencing Sept. 2.

Feller, two other soldiers and another man were charged in the April 10 beating of 52-year-old John Johnson, who was sleeping under a bridge. Prosecutors say Johnson suffered a facial fracture in the attack. Authorities say the assailants just wanted to “kick somebody’s butt.”

Feller, of Union, Ky., was based at Fort Knox at the time of his arrest. His attorney said Feller “looks forward to apologizing” to Johnson.