HAMILTON — Twelve seniors who dumped a load of pig manure at Badin High School on May 16 will have no criminal record provided they make restitution, stay out of trouble and serve up to 200 hours of community service.

        “This is a criminal charge. The court system cannot look at this as a prank,” Hamilton Municipal Judge John G. Rosmarin said before accepting pleas of no contest from each of the students. “I know some of the parents thought the charges were excessive. Would you have considered this a prank if it were dumped on your door?”

        After the boys pleaded Wednesday to misdemeanor charges of criminal damaging or complicity to criminal damaging, Judge Rosmarin ordered each boy to pay $107 restitution to the high school to cover the cleanup costs and to replace fixtures damaged by paint balls shot at windows. They must also pay the court $42.50 as a reimbursement for costs incurred by the Hamilton police and fire departments who responded to the school.

        The judge directed the students to fill out a questionnaire — without the assistance of their parents or attorney — asking them what punishment had been imposed by school officials, their parents and what punishment they thought they deserved. They were also to outline their plans for the summer and future, describe the impact the prank has had on their lives and give the judge any other thoughts related to the incident.

        Judge Rosmarin said he would review the questionnaires before determining early next week how many hours of community service the boys would be required to complete. Charges would be dismissed at hearings set for July 30 and Aug. 6 if community service is completed and restitution made, the judge said.

        “They're not criminals, (they should) not have their future destroyed,” said attorney Dan Gattermeyer, who represented all but one student. “This was a prank that got out of control. They boys are all sorry. ... They're all good kids from good families.”

        Those charged as adults were: Christopher Flick, Alex Spaulding, Adam Weber, Mike Reuter, Tom Puma, Nathan Gentile, Tim Whitaker, Joe Roberto, Joe Webb and Daniel Rusbacky.

        The Enquirer is not naming the other two boys because they are juveniles.

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