“Although the individuals had entered the residence, there was no proof that they had the intent to commit any crimes inside,” the police statement read. “The Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office advised the detectives that no arrests should be made at that time, in that the elements of a burglary had not been met [and] that the appropriate charge in this case was the crime of trespass in an occupied structure, a misdemeanor.”
The Allens and their lawyer persisted in filing charges against the teens, who were described as remorseful. Once the media picked up the story, the seven teens were charged, but not arrested, with trespassing an occupied structure, a first-degree misdemeanor that carries the possibility of year in jail, a fine or a year’s probation. The teens were attending a party next door and said they just wanted to see inside what they believed was an unoccupied celebrity home.
The Allens are satisfied with their decision to press charges,” Gregory Victor told the Miami Herald. He said the Allens are “happy with how it all turned out” and they are experiencing “a lot of different emotions.’’
“The Allens are thankful that no one was hurt and they are appreciative for all the support they have received from their community.”
An attorney for six of the seven teens maintains that the teens, 6 young men and a young woman, were not up to any harm.
When you turn 18 you’re no longer a kid,” Ross, the attorney for six of the seven teens told the Miami Herald. “But at the end of the day, they’re kids. They graduated high school. They are going off to college. The script is: They find themselves interested in a celebrity’s home and made a bad decision. They solely regret it. There was no intent to do anything bad and the bottom line is, they didn’t do any harm.
“I’m hopeful that my clients will be able to go forward with their education and their lives, without there being an impediment. At the same time, hoping that the Allen family can truly put this behind them.”
Coral Gables police maintain that because they caught up with the teens after they left the home, they could not charge them with trespassing, as state law dictates. The Allens pursued charges via the state attorney’s office.
Now let’s just picture this case with the races reversed. Would the teens have been as easily dismissed as pranksters if it were Black teenage “pranksters” invading a private home with a woman inside alone with her four children?
(Photo: PR Photos)
