Felony charges filed in LQHS senior prank
Felony charges were filed Monday against three young men who allegedly put glue on door locks at La Quinta High School as part of a senior prank several days before graduation.
The three 18-year-olds were arrested by Riverside County sheriff’s detectives who investigated the vandalism that occurred June 2 at the school.
Charges were brought against:
Joseph Barnum, 18, of La Quinta, who faces one count each of conspiracy, vandalism over $400 and possession of controlled substances
Steven Jimenez, 18, of La Quinta, who is charged with one count each
of conspiracy and vandalism over $400
Jose Requeno, 18, of Indio, who faces one count each of conspiracy
and vandalism over $400
It was unclear if charges have, or would be filed, against a 17-year-old boy, who was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and vandalism.
Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Alan Northrup previously alleged that the then-students “placed glue in nearly all of the door locks at the school as part of an apparent `senior class prank.’ The outcome of this vandalism has caused thousands of dollars in damage to the school’s property.”
Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent for personnel at Desert Sands Unified School District, confirmed in June that the accused students did not take part in the school’s commencement ceremony.
“Walking in graduation is a privilege to be earned,” she wrote in an email.
Barnum, Requeno and Jimenez each posted a $10,000 bond. Jimenez is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at Indio’s Larson Justice Center, followed by Requeno on Aug. 6 and Barnum on Aug. 13, according to court records.
