Marines accused of felony vandalism charges make first court appearance

[left-of-center2012]

Four active duty Marines were in superior court on Tuesday to face charges of criminal vandalism after an alleged stunt during a ride at the San Diego Zoo pinned about 100 riders above the park for hours. Sergeant. Jacob Dean Bauer, 23, Lance Cpl. Pierre Brayden Posey, 20, Cap. Brandon Gregory Cook, 21, and Lance Cpl. Marquette Alexander Williams, 21, allegedly shook the Skyfari Aerial Tram gondola they were riding in, according to SDPD officer Darius Jamsetjee.

A prosecutor told NBC 7 after court there was more than $400 in damage to the gondola ride, which is why the case rises to a felony charge.
About 100 passengers were on board the ride when it was forced to stop. It took zoo staff and San Diego fire crews just over two hours to help them all.

The Marines, who all pleaded not guilty when arraigned on Tuesday, all remain free on $20,000 bonds. The judge ordered all the men to stay away from the zoo. Going forward, Marines will all be assigned defense attorneys. The defendants, who each face up to three years in prison if convicted of the vandalism charge, are due back in court on March 22.

Maj. Mason Englehart, director of communications for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, confirmed the Marines could also be charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), federal laws that apply to all active duty military personnel, officials said.

https://sea-dmi.com/marines-accused-of-blocking-san-diego-zoo-passengers-enter-plea-nbc-7-san-diego/

[TheRealNorth]

1. A felony seems like an overcharge for this dumassery...

Because you know Fox News is going to run with this and juxtapose these guys with the smash & grab shoplifters.

[left-of-center2012]

2. "an overcharge"

"About 100 passengers were on board the ride when it was forced to stop.
It took zoo staff and San Diego fire crews just over two hours to help them all."

Everyone should have had a good laugh and got over it.

[TheRealNorth]

6. Be careful with the line of thought

Because the Republicans would love to charge Democrats with a felony every time BLM or a environmental group blocks a highway because people had their time wasted.

[LoisB]

3. Obviously, the "discipline" part of the military hasn't sunk into these morons yet. What an

idiotic thing to do.

[JT45242]

4. $400 in damages -- curious what the cost of the operation was

Fire crews -- plural. So more than one truck was not available and had to be used because of these idiots. Wonder how much time, money, and wear and tear on the machines occurred because of this.

Doesn't seem like an overreach when you think about the people involved and the potential extra risks because of their actions.

[TheRealNorth]

7. If people were endangered, that would change things....

Then it may be the penalty is akin to something like drunk driving. But all I saw in the article was the $400 in damages and that people were stuck for a couple of hours.

[Chainfire]

5. A few good men.

The blonde kid looks scared shitless.

[Zorro]

9. Dumbasses

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

They just fucked themselves out of their military careers.