Still would be arson if those are the laws applied. If that is the law, I can't help but side with the cops here. If I demand that the US obey the border laws, I have to side with the law here also.
What about trespass for the flag owners who put their flag on someone else's pole?
There are degrees of arson, and spending the day in jail is asinine. Especially, spending it in Florence, 30 miles away from his home and school.
Somebody is being really stupid over this. I did something far worse than what this kid did as a HS student, and didn't spend a minute in jail.
Of course, 40 years does make a bit of a difference...
If it was the other way around those idiot Mexican students wouldn't have got arrested. I would be surprised if they did though. Of course, they would cry racism if that happened.
I think the kid is being made an example of in a manner of appeasement by the local DA if the 'arson' charge sticks. This act is not worthy of such a strong charge; there are others available and, of course, prosecutorial discretion.