A Mesa high school student accused of exposing himself in a high school yearbook photo will not face a felony charge, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
An online petition drew comments from around the world, urging authorities not to press charges against Hunter Osborn.
“I’m so happy with all the support, I am so thankful,” Osborn said Wednesday afternoon.
Osborn admitted to the prank and said he was “disgusted” by it, according to court paperwork.
“God is on my side and I’m blessed [by] everything that’s happened from the support side,” Osborn said.
Osborn, 19, was facing one felony count for allegedly exposing himself during the varsity football team’s photo, which was published in the yearbook.
All 69 of the alleged victims, including everyone who was present during the photo shoot, decided not to press charges and the case will be closed, according to Mesa Police.
Osborn had faced 69 counts of misdemeanor indecent exposure in addition to the felony.
The Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office had not received the case paperwork Wednesday afternoon; an employee said the office could not speculate whether city misdemeanor charges would be filed.
It was unclear Wednesday night what effect the police department’s decision to close the case would have on the prosecutor’s ability to file charges.
