MINOT, N.D. (AP) - A Minot High School student facing a criminal charge in a water balloon prank at school has pleaded not guilty.
Xavier Falcon, 18, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which carries a maximum sentence if convicted of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine, the Minot Daily News (https://bit.ly/2qfwqN2 ) reported.
Falcon entered the plea Wednesday in Minot Municipal Court. Two 17-year-old boys allegedly involved in the prank were charged in juvenile court with disorderly conduct.
The charges came after a water balloon fight last week in the lunch room at Minot High School-Magic City Campus.
According to a police affidavit, the three students threw about four water balloons at staff and students on May 16 and were being “loud, boisterous, and disruptive” when they were ordered to go to the school office.
Superintendent Mark Vollmer said at least one student slipped and fell, but wasn’t severely injured. Vollmer said water on the floor created a hazard.
An online petition was created to support the three teenagers. Comments left on the petition criticize the school’s officials for bringing charges against the teens for a senior prank instead of dealing with the issue internally with detention or suspension.
Citing privacy laws, Vollmer said he couldn’t comment on any disciplinary action that was taken. But he said the incident won’t prevent the students from graduating.
“This has nothing to do with graduation or with their participation in graduation,” Vollmer said.
Falcon, who turned 18 the day of the incident, is scheduled for trial on June 22.
___
Information from: Minot Daily News, https://www.minotdailynews.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.