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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A fight involving nearly 80 students at Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy is coming to a head in court.
On Thursday, the Champaign County State’s Attorney was interviewing people involved with police, and five cadets were arrested. On Friday, one of them was arraigned in Champaign County.
The cadet in court was 18-year-old Michael McKay. Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz said their investigation found he played a major role in starting the fight. Reitz also said people on two different “teams” were having issues at the academy.
The tensions bubbled over after a cadet thought another one stole a vape pen. Then Rietz said McKay approached a 17-year-old, they argued, and McKay hit them in the head.
“Causing a riot and injuries to other cadets and staff,” said Associate Judge Brett Olmstead. “The charge is a class four felony: that’s a maximum penalty of one to three years in prison and any term in which to be followed by an additional six months of mandatory supervised release. Could be sentenced to a fine up to $25,000 or to pay restitution of financial loss to a victim.”
Rietz also said McKay was also hit in the head with a weapon one of the other cadets had at the time of the fight. Mckay has a hearing to determine if there is probable cause for the felony charge on April 23.
Mckay was not the only one charged, three 17-year-olds are as well. Two with mob action and one with unlawful possession of a weapon. They will be released to the custody of their parents and the cases will be handled in juvenile court.