NORMAL, IL – A 27-year-old teacher's assistant at Illinois State University (ISU) is facing criminal charges as well as calls for his dismissal after video surfaced of the individual targeting a TPUSA tabling event on campus earlier in October, yanking the contents of the table, destroying students’ property while reportedly invoking “Jesus” flipping tables as his justification for doing so.
Fox News reports that ISU faculty member Derek Lopez was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property after he reportedly disrupted two TPUSA tables on campus on October 17th, which were promoting an upcoming appearance of political commentator and comedian Alex Stein.
Video making the rounds on social media reportedly shows Lopez in action at one of the tables he’s accused of targeting on campus, with the suspect violently ripping the tablecloth off the table, resulting in the promotional materials atop being scattered about and damaged.
Before the vandalism, Lopez can be heard saying on video, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right,” delivering the ill-suited Book of Matthew reference in a seemingly self-indulgent tone.
A press release from the ISU Police Department referenced a second incident involving Lopez and one of the TPUSA tables on campus, but it’s unclear whether video of the second incident has been captured.
Police Chief Aaron Woodruff stated in light of the incident, saying, “We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as the safety of everyone in our campus community. We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with.”
Meanwhile, Lopez seems to be embracing his newfound infamy, openly admitting to his conduct on social media and going so far as to justify his actions because he “was just trying to tip it and spill the contents.”
In a social media post shortly after the October 17 incident, Lopez appeared to reference his conduct seemingly after an interaction with campus police, taking to X with, “Detective Johnson keeps telling me not to antagonize the fascist nazis on campus. I’m going to ignore you, Detective Johnson! Your p*nis is small.”
ISU Police note that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and that Lopez could face “additional charges and University disciplinary action.”
Fox News reports that ISU faculty member Derek Lopez was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property after he reportedly disrupted two TPUSA tables on campus on October 17th, which were promoting an upcoming appearance of political commentator and comedian Alex Stein.
Video making the rounds on social media reportedly shows Lopez in action at one of the tables he’s accused of targeting on campus, with the suspect violently ripping the tablecloth off the table, resulting in the promotional materials atop being scattered about and damaged.
Before the vandalism, Lopez can be heard saying on video, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right,” delivering the ill-suited Book of Matthew reference in a seemingly self-indulgent tone.
A press release from the ISU Police Department referenced a second incident involving Lopez and one of the TPUSA tables on campus, but it’s unclear whether video of the second incident has been captured.
Police Chief Aaron Woodruff stated in light of the incident, saying, “We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as the safety of everyone in our campus community. We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with.”
Meanwhile, Lopez seems to be embracing his newfound infamy, openly admitting to his conduct on social media and going so far as to justify his actions because he “was just trying to tip it and spill the contents.”
In a social media post shortly after the October 17 incident, Lopez appeared to reference his conduct seemingly after an interaction with campus police, taking to X with, “Detective Johnson keeps telling me not to antagonize the fascist nazis on campus. I’m going to ignore you, Detective Johnson! Your p*nis is small.”
ISU Police note that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and that Lopez could face “additional charges and University disciplinary action.”
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Comments
2025-10-20T21:53-0400 | Comment by: James
POS! Fire his dumbass!
2025-10-21T10:25-0400 | Comment by: thomas
He was fired
2025-10-23T16:34-0400 | Comment by: Rick
Dumba$$ Derek FAFO. Still bet he did not learn anything from the firing. Stupid in many cases like his just can't be fixed.