By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MASON - Five recent Mason High graduates were in municipal court Tuesday, facing theft-related charges from a senior prank in which birds and animals were stolen and released in the school.

Three of them entered pleas and the other two, who had already entered written not guilty pleas, were given trial dates.

John Schatzel, 18, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft and a reduced charge of trespassing. Schatzel, originally charged with felony breaking and entering, will be sentenced June 26.

Maria Butler, 18, pleaded no contest to a receiving stolen property charge. Municipal Court Judge George Parker scheduled her sentencing for next week to give the victims a chance to "say their piece" in court.

Butler drove her boyfriend, who had a stolen rabbit, to the school during the June 3 prank. That rabbit was returned uninjured, but another rabbit and a peacock were found dead during the incident.

The school already gave Butler 40 hours of community service for her involvement in the prank, but let her participate in the graduation ceremony.

Chad Scheben, 19, pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor theft and animal cruelty charges.He will return to court for a pretrial.

Vincent Eric Dean, 18, will return to court June 26 for a bench trial.

Jennifer Ball is scheduled for a jury trial next month.The 18-year-old faces charges of complicity to theft and criminal trespassing. She is accused of taking students to a Deerfield Township hobby farm after a party at her house.

Warren County sheriff's officials say the students stole peacocks, rabbits and chickens from two area farms to release in the school on seniors' last day. One peacock died after it was found in a car in the school parking lot, and another rabbit also was found dead at the farm.

The school originally banned 11 students from graduation ceremonies because of their involvement, but later allowed four of them to participate in the June 7 commencement.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com