A second degree felony in Florida can get up to 15 years in prison and adding in the other felony, these are serious charges that just shouldn't be.
When I was a 19 year old kid I spent one summer day drinking all day on the beach. Me and a buddy had to catch a ride home in the back of another buddy's pickup truck. Being kinda drunk and stupid we starting throwing ice at each other, throwing it out the side of the truck, etc. One piece of ice hit the side of an F150 pickup truck going the other way. The guy in the pickup turned around, caught up to us at the next light, flashed hid badge, and demand that we pull over.
Turned out he was a part-time, reserve sheriffs deputy. After he got finished cussing me out, he took my information and sent us on our way. A few weeks later I got a warrant for my arrest in the mail and was told to go "turn myself in." They charged me with a
felony charge of "projecting a deadly missile"... Long story short, I plead not guilty and went to trial. After about a two minute jury deliberation they came back and found me "not guilty". Every job I've had since college I've had to explain that situation because there is a record of a being "charged" with a felony even though I was found innocent. I am glad I didn't take my lawyers recommendation and accept a plea deal.
The point is sometimes kids to stupid things, especially when alcohol is involved and I'm guessing at
3 in the morning that alcohol was involved. Now these kids have got to know better. They are representing the university. Being up at 3AM was stupid. Having a BB gun on campus was STUPID. But hopefully they'll learn from this and grow up in a hurry. I am one of the BIGGEST supporters of law enforcement. But sometimes a little common sense goes a long way. The cops did their job and I don't blame them for that. I only question whether it was really
necessary to charge them with a felony???