Five Students Charged in Senior Prank Vandalism at Wheaton North High School

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett and Wheaton Police Chief Mark Field announced today that five (5) former students of Wheaton North High School have been charged with Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property in connection with the May 29-31 weekend tree cutting that was attributed to a “Senior Prank”.  To date, persons charged include:

• Colin Biggs, 18 (d.o.b. 2/16/86) of 827 Countryside Drive, Wheaton
• Micah Caskey, 18 (d.o.b. 6/28/85) of 1902 Howard Street, Wheaton
• Delwyn Harris, 18 (d.o.b. 2/27/86) of 26 W 443 Parkway, Winfield
• Andrew Pesek, 18 (d.o.b. 5/22/86) of 596 Willow Wood Drive, Carol Stream
• Robert Wright, 17 (d.o.b. 6/26/86) of 1 N 436 Peachtree Lane, Winfield.

The investigation is continuing, with one additional suspect being sought in connection with the incident.  Anyone with information is urged to call the Wheaton Police Department at 630/260-2161 and to ask for Detective Commander Eversole.

The Wheaton Police Department conducted a thorough and professional investigation of the crime and received valuable assistance from school staff and students.  These were serious acts of vandalism and all of the offenders could have faced possible Class 3 Felony charges based upon the extent of the damage and the fact that the property damaged was school property.  The decision to charge a lesser class offense was made by the State’s Attorney’s Office, with input from both Wheaton North High School officials and the Wheaton Police Department.  Final estimates for the damages have not been received, but the damage clearly exceeded the $300 limit necessary for the charges filed against these former students, and it is likely that the damages will be in excess of $1,000. 

If convicted, these former students face up to a year in jail, fines of up to $2,500, full restitution, and mandatory community service of 30 to 120 hours if convicted.

“Schools are primarily a place to learn and to develop the skills necessary to become a responsible and productive citizen,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “The buildings and grounds that our schools occupy belong to all of us, and they must be protected and enhanced for current and future generations.  The acts of these young men, if true, run contrary to everything they were taught at this excellent high school.  They betrayed their classmates, the faculty and staff who worked so hard to educate them.  Hopefully, they will learn that this kind of brazen behavior must stop.  These prosecutions will send a powerful message of deterrence to others that we will not tolerate the intentional destruction of property or any act of violence or threatened violence on school grounds.”

At this time, charges have been approved and arrest warrants issued for all five (5) defendants.  According to the Wheaton Police Department, arrangements are being made for the defendants to turn themselves in.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.