City Police Investigate Senior Prank

More than a dozen Jasper County High School seniors and one home school student are likely facing criminal charges after taking part in a “senior prank” last Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

The first sign of the prank appeared early Thursday morning when workers arrived at the bus shop at 1289 College Street and noticed a bus with flat tires. Upon more examination, more flat tires were discovered. In all, some 18 buses had two tires per bus flattened. It cost the school $60 per bus to fix the tires.

Meanwhile, across town at Piedmont Academy, workers arrived at work to also find flat tires on the buses. Only two buses were affected there, but it also cost that school $60 per bus to fix the tires and extra gasoline as routes had to be covered with one bus, doubling its load.

In addition, many areas of Piedmont Academy had been “rolled” with toilet paper thrown in trees, and adorning much of the campus. Actually, toilet paper adorned much of the town, as students rolled the yard of Jasper County High School Principal Howard Fore, and numerous other homes and businesses throughout the city were hit.

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In addition, the “Canes left their signature on Cougar Field where they broke into the field house and scattered soccer equipment about. They also wrote “Canes Rule” on Cougar Field and painted a large M for Monticello (see photo above).

Headmaster Tony Tanner said the school is asking for restitution for the extra gasoline required to run the bus routes, the tire repair, and overtime for the janitorial staff.

The Monticello Police Department is investigating the incident, and has determined 15 students were involved in some way. The police department identified two students as having vandalized the buses; 13 who participated in the rolling; six who were involved in painting the field and three who apparently played soccer during the incident.

To release the air from the tires, the students required a special tool called a valve core extracting tool. A spokesman at the local NAPA store said that he typically sells about 10 of those a year, but that he sold five last week alone.

Various brands of toilet paper were used, according to property owners who were cleaning it up, and there was no indication of where the students go that.

Monticello Police Chief Bobby Norris said that probably all 15 children would be charged with littering, but he was not sure when he spoke to a reporter Monday.

The superintendent did not return calls this week, but Mr. Fore released the following statement:

“We are working cooperatively with the Monticello Police Department to identify those individuals who were responsible for the incident(s) that occurred on or about May 2, 2012; and it is our understanding that a small number of JCHS students were involved.

“Since this incident involves students, by law the district cannot comment on any possible disciplinary measures that will be taken against these individuals. However, the actions of a few students, while regrettable and inexcusable, do not represent the student body of Jasper County High School.”

In other activity in Monticello, the Monticello Police Department reported the following arrests:

•Marcelo Velasquez Ramir-ez, II, 30, Covington—driving while license suspended or revoked.

•Quinton Roydell Mohone, 25, Monticello—driving while license suspended or revoked and headlight violation.

•Ollie Mays, 42, Monticello—hold for warrant in Monroe County.

•Jade Brown, Christin, 18, Monticello—possession of marijuana less than one ounce and defective equipment.

Also, from May 1-6, officers with the MPD responded to 89 calls for service including 44 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, six each alarm and escort or convoy, five subject needs officer, three vandalism of property, two each assist motorist and juvenile complaint, one each fight, domestic, courtesy ride, improperly parked vehicles, misc. ems, rape, assault, trouble unknown, music/noise complaint, threatening/harassing calls, road hazard, trespassing, argument and persons refuse to leave.

During the same period, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) reported the following criminal activity in the county.

•On May 6 a resident on Dallas Trail in west Jasper County reported the theft of a gas can.

•On May 5 a resident on Meadowlark Drive in Turtle Cove reported the theft of Dodge Dakota pickup.

•On May 1 an employee of the Turtle Cove Property Owners Association reported the theft of gasoline from a vehicle on Clubhouse Drive.

Anyone with information on any of the above are encouraged to contact the JCSO at 706-468-4912, or use the anonymous tips line at 706-468-tips.

During the period of May 1 and May 6 the JCSO reported the following arrests:

•Charleston Jermaine Russell, 26, Shady Dale—parole violation.

•Johnny Chris Vallrath, 37, Monticello—hold for warrant at

Hoganville Police Department.

•Jessica Shae Sprayberry, 24, Griffin—burglary, theft by taking and probation violation.

•Rachel Michele Martin, 36, Shady Dale—disorderly conduct.

•Breanna Michelle Pickett, 21, Monticello—probation violation.

•Eduarido Rivera, 39, Con-yers—probation violation.

During this same period deputies with the JCSO responded to 133 calls for service including 20 stopping suspicious person/vehicle, 18 alarm, 11 subject needs officer, eight road hazard, six each accident and mechanical break down, five each domestic, juvenile complaint and vandalism of property.

Also, four four-wheeler, three each assist motorist, escort or convoy, theft by taking and threatening/harassing calls, two each livestock on road, intoxicated driver, fire/brush, pickup prisoner/subject, welfare check, property found argument, attempt to serve warrant and stalking, one each fight, speeding auto, intoxicated pedestrian, fire/structure, wanted/stolen indicated, misc. ems, overdose, assault, aircraft down, discharge firearms, private property, trouble unknown, checking location, trespassing and abandoned vehicle.

In addition, during this period the Georgia State Patrol reported the arrest of Grant Christopher Gierman, 30, of Monticello, and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.