Doug Ramsey, a former executive for Beyond Meat and Tyson Foods, pleaded guilty on February 14 to charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for his involvement in an altercation following a University of Arkansas football game in September 2022.
Ramsey was accused of losing his temper after another man tried to edge his vehicle ahead of Ramsey’s in a parking garage outside of the University of Arkansas stadium in Fayetteville. Those interviewed by police said Ramsey got out of his vehicle and punched through the back windshield of the other person’s car. The driver of that car then got out of his vehicle, in which Ramsey apparently started punching the other man, and bit his nose. He also allegedly threatened to kill the man.
In an apparent plea deal, Ramsey, who was originally charged with terroristic threatening and third-degree battery. He will receive three years of probation, pay a $1,000 fine and complete 160 hours of community service, according to a Bloomberg report.
Ramsey will also be required to take anger management courses.
Ramsey was the chief operating officer of Beyond Meat at the time of the incident. It was a position he had held for less than a year. The company placed him on suspension following his arrest, and he officially left the company on October 14. Ramsey’s LinkedIn profile now lists him as “retired.”
Prior to joining Beyond Meat, Ramsey had a lengthy career with Tyson Foods, having worked his way up to being president of Tyson’s poultry operations. He was selected for that position in April 2017. Ramsey had previously served as a senior vice president in the poultry business unit, managing a portion of the business which included servicing key foodservice national accounts, retail fully cooked Tyson branded products and the school lunch program.
A graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Ramsey joined Tyson in 1992.
Civil complaint also filed
In addition to the criminal proceedings, Ramsey also faces more court time on a related civil matter. The victim in the case, Khristan Uran, filed a complaint in the Civil Division of the Washington County Circuit Court, asking compensation for “assault, batter, outrage and civil action by a crime victim.”
According to the complaint, when Ramsey bit Uran, he “ripped Plaintiff’s tissue and tore Plantiff’s septum.” Court documents also stated that the bite resulted in an infection, and Uran receives ongoing medical treatment, as well as is experiencing sustained emotional distress.
