Graduating Senior Arrested For \'Mooning\' Prank

Tag : kid pant
It's supposed to be a day to "reach for the stars." Instead, aWestchester County high school student decided to "shoot for themoon," dropping his pants as he went up to pick up his diploma.

As CBS 2 HD found out, he's now facing charges in a case that'ssparking outrage.

Recent Briarcliff High School graduate Danielle Cornacchio says itwas a sight she won't soon forget.

"I saw 'the butt' and it was kind of gross," Cornacchio said. "Ithought it was disrespectful."

Cornacchio was one of hundreds who watched senior David Turano"moon" last week's graduation.

A YouTube video shows Turano hiking up his gown – his pantsare down and his underwear is showing. Turano then turns around andwiggles his rear at his classmates.

"I was like did that just happen?" Cornacchio said. "There's kidsin the audience, family members, grandparents."

As Turano goes to collect his diploma, Principal James Kaishianrefuses to hand it over. Superintendent Fran Wills says somethingto the student and he's then ushered off stage.

On Tuesday Wills released a statement:

"The district was outraged by this breach of trust and civility. Wehave taken the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is pursuedin courts."

In fact, the first thing the next morning, the school called theMount Pleasant Police Department, determined to make Turano pay aprice for his prank.

The 18-year-old now faces charges of disorderly conduct and"exposure."

"Obviously Mr. Turano intended to be funny but school officials didnot take it as funny and many people were quite offended at hisact," Mount Pleasant Police Chief Louis Alagno said.

Turano lives on a horse farm in Pleasantville, where a familyfriend said the school overreacted to the prank.

"He's kind of a silly kid," Liz Grano said. "I think he was daredto do it. He did it. Not in the best taste but kids are kids."

Turano is due in court Thursday – with a videotape and severalhundred witnesses part of the case against him.

The district will be sending the student his diploma, after theschool attorney said there was no legal basis to withhold it.