9
Hackettstown students face charges for
prank
They admit pouring oil in
hallways before exams
Thursday, July 07, 2005 • BY KATHLEEN G. SUTCLIFFE
• Star-Ledger Staff
An end-of-school prank has resulted in
felony charges for nine Hackettstown High School
students.
A group of students who allegedly greased
the school hallways with cooking oil on the eve of final
exams have been charged with third-degree burglary,
conspiracy to commit burglary and criminal
mischief.
Samuel Berthoud of Andover, Joshua
Deleasa of Great Meadows, Justin Henriksen of Hackettstown,
William Morris III of Belvidere and Michael Papso and Andrew
Ziarnowski, both of Great Meadows, were charged. All are
18.
Three juveniles, whose names were not
released, also were charged.
The group of students allegedly entered
the school after hours and poured $108 worth of cooking oil
through the school's hallways. The cleanup postponed the
morning's exams.
The prank follows an unofficial tradition
among high school seniors. In past years students have
reportedly let animals loose in the school hallway and
wrapped teachers' cars with plastic.
The students who came forward were barred
from participating in graduation ceremonies and have been
ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. The
group must also repay the district for $4,520 in
damages.
Parents are calling the punishment
excessive.
"It was just a practical joke that went
overboard," said Bill Morris Jr., father of William Morris
III. "We just think it's unfair for any of these children to
start out life with a criminal record."
Morris acknowledged the prank showed a
lapse in judgment, but said his son did the right thing by
admitting his involvement.
"He'fessed up to what he did. ... This is
his only incident in 12 years of school," Morris
said.
But Hackettstown Police Chief Leonard
Kunz announced at last week's town council meeting that the
prank set into motion an unstoppable turn of
events.
"Once they broke into the school, it was
a burglary," Kunz said. "At some point the school no longer
has a say. At some point I no longer have a say."
The charges were filed on June 23, said
Frank Bucsi, a first assistant prosecutor in the Warren
County Prosecutor's Office.
The group will appear before state
Superior Court Judge John Pursel on Aug. 11.
Kathleen Sutcliffe covers Hack ettstown. She may be
reached at ksutcliffe@starledger.com or (973) 539-7910.
© 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
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