Sequim Police Department detectives have forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office criminal charges against 45 graduating seniors related to a senior prank at Sequim High School the week of graduation.

Det. Sgt. Darrell Nelson said the allegations were sent July 16 to Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols’ office to consider for prosecution.

Potential charges include 39 students cited for criminal trespass in the second degree, a misdemeanor; six students for burglary in the second degree, a Class B felony; and five people for malicious mischief in the second degree, a Class C felony.

The students were all seniors, and they were a mix of minors and legal adults at the time of the alleged crimes, Nelson said.

Students allegedly involved in the incident were students from Sequim High School, Dungeness Virtual School, and some not currently enrolled in the district, according to Sequim School District Superintendent Regan Nickels in a June 6 email to parents and graduating seniors.

Nichols, the prosecuting attorney, confirmed on July 17 that his office had received the police department’s referral, and said he believes his staff will have some follow-up questions with the detectives to “make an informed charging decision.” He said the earliest his office could make a decision on any potential charges is sometime this week (July 21-25).

Nichols said Tracey Lassus, deputy prosecuting attorney assigned to juvenile court, is well-versed in juvenile court cases and will review the incidents consistently with the standards of his office.

Sequim School District officials reported that students gained unauthorized access to a high school building around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 1.

Nelson said 45 students allegedly went inside the H-building where some students smashed eggs inside two classrooms and outside the building.

An unknown student also allegedly wrote “Retard” on a whiteboard inside the Life Skills classroom, he said, and others were smoking marijuana according to camera footage and witness statements.

No charges were forwarded for those allegations, Nelson said.

District officials said there was no permanent damage from the eggs, but staff and students helped clean up the spaces to ensure school started on time for Monday, June 2.

Total clean-up of damages cost the district about $1,100, Nelson said.

School Resource Officer Daniel Martinez conducted the investigation for the police, Nelson said, and the school conducted its own interviews for disciplinary actions.

Nelson said that, to his knowledge, it is the first senior prank the department has investigated.

Nickels wrote in her email to parents that the “actions disrupted our school community and warrant appropriate consequences.”

“However,” the email stated, “due to the large number of students involved and the limited time remaining before graduation, school administrators were under significant pressure to clean the building, review hours of security footage, conduct interviews, and meet with families. This urgency, while necessary to restore order, unfortunately led to procedural errors in the disciplinary process.”

She continued to write that, “Upon district review, it became clear that some disciplinary actions were not fully supported by a sound and complete process. As a result, certain initial decisions have been revised.

“During this time in which we are asking our students to accept accountability, we must also hold ourselves to that same standard. While school-based consequences have changed for some students, this does not affect any legal outcomes that may result from the ongoing investigation by the Sequim Police Department.”

She added that “when our disciplinary process is not sound, we cannot in good conscience impose consequences that may not be fully supported by due process. Therefore, all students involved will be allowed to participate in graduation.”

She commended the students and staff that helped clean up the building, and the seniors who did not participate in the vandalism. Nickels wrote that staff “remain committed to the values of accountability, respect, and community that define Sequim High School.”

“Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work through this challenging situation together,” she wrote.