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‘Streak’ all the talk as Otters go 6-0
Published Monday, October 6, 2008
The Fergus Falls Otters won their homecoming game Friday against Little Falls to go 6-0 overall on the 2008 football season.
But before the third quarter started Friday night, it wasn’t the Otters’ 42 first-half points or the homecoming field show put on by the high school band that was the talk in the Otters’ stadium.
It wasn’t a 42-24 homecoming win that was the talk at coffee shops, in grocery store lines, or among Fergus Falls High School students on their Facebook accounts, either.
No, it was Fergus Falls’ other “streak” that has been the talk of the town since about 8:30 p.m. Friday.
That’s when fans enjoying the homecoming halftime show were treated to a little more than they expected.
A tenth grade Fergus Falls High School student called his own version of the ‘naked bootleg’ and raced onto the field with a military-style gas mask, a hat and little else.
The teenager raced down the sideline for what appeared to be three-quarters of the field before hopping two fences in an attempt to escape.
But he had an ill-fated escape plan.
The teen went into a wooded area adjacent to the football field, where he remained for about 40 minutes, according to the Fergus Falls Police Department. The teen surrendered after police officers established a perimeter around the woods.
He was taken into custody for consideration of charges which included indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the juvenile detention center in Moorhead where he remained Monday morning, police officials said.
Whether the teen is charged with a gross misdemeanor or a felony will determine his future within the legal system. There had been unfounded rumors circulated among the teen’s classmates that he was being forced to register as a sex offender.
Assistant Otter Tail County Attorney Nicole Hansen, who handles juvenile offenses, was asked theoretically about indecent exposure cases.
“Relating to the kind of behavior such as appearing naked in a public setting, this in itself would not be deemed serious nature,” she said, “and certainly not something to warrant a serious felony offense.”
For a a juvenile, and even for an adult, this type of incident would likely come under a misdemeanor, Hansen said.
Hansen and others in county attorney offices across Minnesota look into the kinds of statutes applicable to indecent exposure and other cases. “Most states would not likely force an individual — juvenile or adult — to register as a sex offender,” she said, “and certainly not following a first offense.”
One of the most serious penalties paid by the teen could come at school itself.
School District officials are currently discussing possible disciplinary actions to be taken by the school. Although the student policy handbook does not clearly outline appropriate disciplinary policies relating to streaking.
Principal Dean Monke said he and others will determine which blanket code of conduct policy violation the action will fall under.
“Obviously the student probably is not in school,” Monke said. “I think that we’re just going to take a real close look at what our options are and determine that over the course of this week.”
The issue of whether or not to address the student body as a whole on the issue is also up in the air, as all decisions will be made after the district has determined appropriate action
One possibility is that the issue will be taken to the Fergus Falls School Board, which will meet again Monday, Oct. 13.
The ‘streak’ has taken on a life of it’s own since Friday, where on the social networking site Facebook a tribute page has been established where the teen has gained near-hero status.
As of 7 a.m. Monday 129 students had signed up to be members of the “we will miss you jon” Facebook page and nearly 30 student comments were posted on the site with an overwhelming theme that the “streak’ was the coolest thing they had ever seen. Classmates have also been throwing out the idea of throwing the streaker a parade.
Daily Journal reporters Don Cogger, Tom Hintgen, Trisha Marczak and Lauren Radomski contributed to this story.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by themominator (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You see, most kids thought it was hilarious. Let the poor kid take his punishment and leave him alone. He's not a felon and definitely not a sex offender.
Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope they give this kid a break, I realize that there were children at this game, but the overall picture is the kid did a prank, I have heard of people doing this way back in the 1960's-- so why turn it into a felony offense or something that will follow him into adulthood? Of course there is a time and a place for everything, and this is not appropriate, but again, it was a prank, I dont know the kid, but I just have to guess his plan was to be funny, get some people talking, and not to go to juvenile detention and be charged with a felony....after reading sounds like a misdemeanor. I hope the school officials go easy on him too, not an expulsion, but I can see some detention or suspension. But come on...it was a joke. I would like to see people responding to things they saw as teens in their past (such as streaking) not condemning or ostracizing the kid.
Posted by Ole_Potato (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well this brings back that seventies tradition in full fashion, or maybe it was just that this young man watched Old School one to many times. Advice for anyone thinking about a copy-cat incident...Try a flesh-colored speedo! That will have the same gawker effect for the old laides, and can't quite be considered indecent or naked in public.
Most exciting thing to happen in Fergus Falls for some time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIPv9AtZ2...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7KWNdXSc...
Posted by luvmyboys (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yay, I'm glad the "sex offender" issue is a rumor. It was a prank. Suspend him, give him community service, make him issue a public apology... then let it go.
Posted by proveit (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope that its just a rumor, I do know that the family has to get a lawyer and was told registering him as a sex offender was a possible outcome, but hopefully it is just a scare tactic. I cant imagine the uproar it would cause if they make a CHILD register for streaking!
Posted by bigdaddy (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope the school board can reflect back to when they were in school and keep that in mind when dealing out a punishment. I mean, come on, it was a prank, albeit not the best judgment(he should've had a better escape plan). It shouldn't ruin the kids life. I hope Mr Monke and the rest can keep it real. As I type I still have to laugh....thanks jon!
Posted by SallyRay (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I fully agree with "themominator." :)
Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor Kid... I hope his punishment is very minimal. It was a joke, and this type of stuff has been going on for years. I cannot believe he was sent to juvy. How sad is that. He should have been sent home and delt with by his parents. I feel for ya kid. These 'authority figures' need to get off their high horse and come back to earth. Including you Monke.
Posted by FFSSG (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This really added some excitement to the game. haha
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Give him a little suspension from school and then let it go. He was just being a kid.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only thing he did wrong, was getting caught! Can't kids now a days do anything right? Because he got caught, he deserved to be marched in front of the grand stand without his gas mask. Come on kids, you have to plan better!
Posted by fergusgraduate (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what a joke! Even considereing to label him as a sex offender is pure stupid! This kid made all the high schoolers homecoming much more memorable, that is what it's all about right? Not about the parents in the stands. The past students who returned from college to meet up with old friends, myself included, also thought it was the best thing they have seen. I feel bad for the kid though, it was pretty cold that night and standing out there naked for 40 minutes.... brrrrrrrrr
Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shrinkage?
Posted by FFSSG (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He did actually have a pretty good plan as he had a duffle bag with clothes in it hidden in the woods. So he should not have been to cold. Its too bad that he could not have gotten away with it I bet the comments in the paper would have been a lot different with the headlines reading Streaker Still on the Loose.
Posted by LuvMyGirls (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know Jon personally and he is a good kid. He did a prank and I don't think he realized how serious it was going to be. Give him a punishment at school, and let it go. Give him a break. I'm not even from the "Streaker" Era and I don't think it is as big a deal as officials are making it out to be and I even have small children. This going on an official criminal record is REDICULOUS! Putting him on the sex offender registry is just way extreme. The school officials need to remember when they were in school, I'm sure that when they were in school worse things happened.
Posted by otter (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just laugh it off..It was a prank with no one hurt. Lets learn to laugh more and go on with life. I do not think anyone was hurt by this.
Posted by mytwocents (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The kid was just being a kid! Let the poor boy take some OSS and let him be! As if people haven't streaked before! As if noone has ever seen this been done!! Come on
Posted by FFBandKid (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do agree that his punishment is quite a bit extreme, but he should have to apologize. He also could have picked a better time to conduct his "Streak". While everyone was making a commotion, the FF High School Band was trying to perform and this incident has left the students of the band feeling as though they were withheld their shining moment. They had prepared their routine since the start of the school year and spent many cold mornings out on the levee football field rehearsing on the wet, cold grass. They spent each 50 min. class period since the start of school learning their part all for a 15 min. field show. And this "streaker" had shorted the band on their hard work and dedication.
Posted by proveit (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually I think it added a personal touch that I can't remember any other game having. It sure did make the performance more memorable!!
Posted by ffhsalumni (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the only person that got hurt here was the young kid who didnt have a better escape plan. before you punish him, stop and think about the stuff we were doing at his age. i went to fergus falls senior high and believe me, there were a lot worse things that took place. personal apology to student body, week suspension, and let it go.
Posted by staisha (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.
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Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does it make you feel better naming names on this site? Most of us know who the kid and parents are, but be respectful and leave names out of it--- he is a kid, a kid who had a plan for a hilarious prank, that he is really paying for now, whether it be fair or not, loosen up, and have some respect for the parents.
Posted by staisha (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well you know what everyone else mentions names on all the other topics and everyone always wants to know who it is anyways so whats the big deal and freedom of speech.....
Posted by gramma5 (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You go Girl!!!!!
Momma don't raise no fools!
Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well enough said then, they should be proud of their son, he only did a harmless prank, those who criticize this kid or family just need to move on and get over it.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 9:45 p.m.
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Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 10:40 p.m.
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Posted by hightag08 (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somebody please tell me why this is being handled by the OTC attorney and not the city attorney......it's definitely in city jurisdiction.....something smells here.... it seems to me that someone in a position of power wants to make an example of the boy.....does anyone feel as I do?
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i am confused, there was 46 comments here a while ago and now it's down to 28.
Posted by proveit (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Freedom of speech is an illusion in this town.
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hightag08 -- My understanding is that it's because the City Attorney is not a criminal prosecutor position, and because the law that was violated is a state law, not a city statute, which means the County Attorney's office, as an extension of the state Attorney General's office, acts to prosecute. This matter IS in the County Attorney's jurisdiction. It has nothing to do with devious positions of power, and there's certainly no conspiracy in play here.
.
I do agree with most of you that the young man's intent was only to be playful. There wasn't anything malicious about his behavior. We do, however, need to keep in mind that the statute in question doesn't make exceptions for innocent pranks. He violated the law, period. It's a tough lesson to learn, and I hope he -- and other young people in the area -- are learning it well.
Posted by fencesitter (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said.
Posted by robbie (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rodent boy -there are two articles on this
As a parent I feel our rights have been violated this child should have been returned to his parents immediatly!!!
If the child would have been a threat to himself or others detention would be welcomed. FFPD why was he not returned to his parents?
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone see all the attention on the Fargo news last night? This town is again the laughing stock of the area! This is probably the 100th time this football season this has happened in Minnesota alone. But only in Fergus Falls would it be treated as a swat incident by the Fergus cop dept.. And our county attorney's office apparently doesn't have enough to do that they have to spend time with such a trivial incident.Yea, like this kid needs to have a police record over something like this. Hey, teachers, leave this kid alone!
Posted by tippy98c (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No one is disputing the fact that he should be reprimanded. But serving any more time in jail aside from waiting for his parents to come pick him up is asinine.
A Moorhead juvenile facility?
Perhaps the CA could prove pre-meditation and have him charged as an adult. Send him to Stillwater. Or am I overreacting?
Posted by staisha (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is getting blown up too much. He was playing a joke that noone else had the balls to do and now he is getting into alot of trouble over sumthing stupid. Everyone enjoyed this prank and it made the game more interresting. He should be able to go home to his parents and they should be the ones punishing him. The cops are just to damn bored so they had to do sumthing with there time and jon just got the shaft. poor jon i wouldnt want to come back to town if i was him and the way he is being treated.
Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
staisha...This young man is more than welcome to come back to this towm. He shouldn't be ashamed of anything. He pulled a hilarious prank/joke and most of us enjoyed it! The only ones not rallying around this kid are the prosecutors and of course our wonderful FFPD. So lets welcome him back with a smile and a huge high five!!
Posted by staisha (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i didnt mean not come back because of the ppl i know that we all suppport him i am talking about how i wouldnt want to come back because of the cops and how they have nuttin to do with there time so they choose to nail him and nail him hard. THIS IS STUPID LET THE BOY GO AND LET HIM GO BACK TO SCHOOL WHERE EVERYONE SUPPORTS HIM.
Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone start calling the Ottertail county attorneys office. Demand they drop the charges. the phone number is 218-998-8400... let them know your opinion...
Posted by grandmaj (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, saw this on WCCO Monday night. Brings back memories of Ray Stevens' AND THEY CALL HIM THE STREAK song of my high school days.
Hey ADULTS--Stop and think of something stupid you did in HS that made the rounds of the halls, that you wish you had not done, BUT will be brought up time after time at school class reunions. And be written about in the annuals.
Humiliation tends to bring its own punishments with time. You can't take it back. Esp. in this time of cameras and video. It can live forever.
Assign the kid the volunteer job of working with Human Services program of COATS FOR KIDS. Make a positive out of a negative.
THEN get everyone else involved too. Not just Honor Society Students need these projects to show they are good community assets. All students should have that chance.
Posted by proveit (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He is home now, but I think thats an awesome idea to call the attorneys office to get this ridiculous thing dropped.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on October 7, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Again... This town needs to tame down it's religious guilt. Overreaction like this would never happen in a "German-Catholic" town, as they know how to relax and enjoy life (yeah, I admit, that was a huge generalization). Anyone who is seriously offended by this act needs to seriously get some counseling.
Posted by Granny (anonymous) on October 8, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This was on Stupid Criminals on the radio. For sick, I also had Grandkids at the game and they were not aware of what was going on and they are 11 & 12. Take it for what it is a prank. My Gosh.
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