1 Juvenile Charged In Farmington Hazing Incident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Dakota County Attorney's Office has charged one juvenile in connection with a hazing incident last fall involving Farmington High School students where an abduction of four juniors was staged.

A 17-year-old female has been charged with one gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation (gross negligence resulting in bodily harm) and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault (intent to cause fear). Authorities say another 15 teens associated with the incident are being offered diversion from misdemeanor disorderly conduct through an accountability program within the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

Police say on the night of Sept. 27, 2014, a 16-year-old female junior and five others went to the 17-year-old's home to "kidnap" her as part of the "junior and senior war" during homecoming week. When they arrived, they were surrounded by senior students. At least two junior students got away, but two others had their hands zip-tied and they were locked in the truck of the car driven by the 17-year-old. Two other junior students were forced into the backseat of the car, one had their hands zip-tied.

Police say the driver took them for a long ride with several other cars following behind. The prank came to an end when the driver got into a minor accident near the high school. The group then set the juniors free and ran from the scene.

The 17-year-old female later told police she admitted to driving the car with two students in the trunk and two in the back seat. She also said she was driving at times at least 30 miles per hour over speed bumps, causing injury to the students in the trunk.