Marines accused of felony vandalism charges make first court appearance [View all]

Four active duty Marines were in superior court on Tuesday to face charges of criminal vandalism after an alleged stunt during a ride at the San Diego Zoo pinned about 100 riders above the park for hours. Sergeant. Jacob Dean Bauer, 23, Lance Cpl. Pierre Brayden Posey, 20, Cap. Brandon Gregory Cook, 21, and Lance Cpl. Marquette Alexander Williams, 21, allegedly shook the Skyfari Aerial Tram gondola they were riding in, according to SDPD officer Darius Jamsetjee.

A prosecutor told NBC 7 after court there was more than $400 in damage to the gondola ride, which is why the case rises to a felony charge.
About 100 passengers were on board the ride when it was forced to stop. It took zoo staff and San Diego fire crews just over two hours to help them all.

The Marines, who all pleaded not guilty when arraigned on Tuesday, all remain free on $20,000 bonds. The judge ordered all the men to stay away from the zoo. Going forward, Marines will all be assigned defense attorneys. The defendants, who each face up to three years in prison if convicted of the vandalism charge, are due back in court on March 22.

Maj. Mason Englehart, director of communications for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, confirmed the Marines could also be charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), federal laws that apply to all active duty military personnel, officials said.

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