By MCS Staff 03.28.2014

Two Milligan students were arrested on campus Tuesday in connection with the vandalism that occurred last month in three college residence buildings.

 

According to Elizabethton police and Dean of Students Mark Fox, the two men were brought to Fox’s office and taken into custody by Patrol Officer James Sexton and taken to the Carter County Detention Center.

 

Police had arrested another man, not a Milligan student, on March 3. He and one of the students were charged with vandalism over $1,000, according to the Elizabethton police. The other Milligan student was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

 

What Happened?

 

The vandalism, which took place early on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 16, caused about $2,320 of damages in Quillen, Sutton and Webb halls.

 

“At this point, Milligan College is acting in cooperation with the Elizabethton district attorney and the police,” said Fox. “The district attorney is formulating options which the Milligan administration will review when presented with them.”

 

What does TN Law Say?

 

Under Tennessee law, an individual may be charged with Class D felony vandalism if estimated damages total between $1,000 and $10,000. The penalty could include two to 12 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

 

If Milligan College decides not to press charges, academic discipline and expulsion are still options. Fox stated that administrators “evaluate the individuals’ involvement.”

 

He also said that administration is not taking the matter lightly even though “there are still some gray areas” and unexplained details. He called the situation “very unfortunate” for all parties.

 

The two Milligan students are due to appear in Carter County Sessions Court on April 28. (This is a correction; the wrong date was listed in the print edition of The MCStampede.) The third man is scheduled to appear in court on April 22.