CASSOPOLIS -- Attorney James Miller described the vandalism of Ross Beatty Junior-Senior High School on Oct. 3 as an unfortunate incident that young people do without thinking.
But two Cassopolis teens will be paying for their actions for some time -- both in terms of money and community service.
Denton Gillam, 18, of the 300 block of E. Jefferson Street, and Joshua A. Wilson, 17, of the 200 block of S. Disbrow Street, must each repay the school $3,504 for malicious destruction of a building more than $20,000. The felony offense is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Fines and court costs ordered by Cass County Circuit Judge Michael Dodge on Friday added at least another $1,430 to the tab. They also must complete 200 hours of community service.
Both, however, avoided jail time and were sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.
They will have a clean record if they complete all the terms and conditions during the two years of probation.
Vandals caused more than $20,000 in damage at the school during the evening of Oct. 3, and classes were delayed that morning.
A greenhouse was spray-painted with graffiti and fire extinguishers were discharged in the auditorium. Shaving cream and glue were poured into locks, and live chickens roamed the building.
Police arrested and charged six teens, including two juveniles. All six later were expelled from school.
James Miller, attorney for Wilson, said the teen did it "without thinking. The seriousness of the consequences had not occurred to him at all," Miller said.
Wilson especially regretted not being able to graduate with his class, and has written a letter of apology.
"I'm sorry for any trouble that I've caused," Wilson told the court.
Wilson admitted throwing a dozen eggs in the school's interior.
Kalamazoo attorney Carl Jordan, who represented Gillam, described the vandalism as "a prank gone awry," and said the teen was an intelligent young man.
"He's sorry because his sister still goes to the high school, he let down his parents ... it's had many consequences on Mr. Gillam's life," Jordan said.
Jordan said Gillam hopes to join the Air Force or attend Adrian College in Adrian, Mich., and needs to have the criminal conviction erased to be able to do those things.
Gillam also apologized.
"I'm sorry for what we did and regret it," he said. "I learned from it and am trying to put it behind me."
Gillam admitted using spray paint to deface sections of the school building.
Dodge expressed hopes that Gillam would follow through on the terms of probation so the conviction could be erased.
"We want to see you succeed, and we hope it plays out that way for you," the judge said.
Two other teens -- Randall Ivens, 18, and Jonathan Robinson, 19 -- were sentenced on malicious destruction of a building more than $20,000 for the vandalism May 2.
Dodge said all four received identical treatment in sentencing.