A picture of the Red Mountain High School football team was taken and appeared in the school’s yearbook. After the yearbook was published, some students noticed what the school and the editors missed. One of the players, Hunter Osborn, who was 18 at the time the photo was taken, is seen exposing himself. As 12 News notes, Osborn exposed his penis through the top of the waistband of his uniform. It was almost impossible to see unless you were looking for it.
After this came to the attention of the school authorities, the yearbook was recalled and police were notified. On Saturday, Osborn was arrested and charged with 69 counts of indecent exposure and one count of furnishing harmful materials to minors. The 69 charges are class one misdemeanors while the sole count of furnishing harmful materials is a class 4 felony.
The 69 counts are for the 69 players who appeared in the team photo. According to police, if any of these teens are not minors and do not wish to proceed with the charges, the number of counts could decrease.
The yearbook was distributed to about 3,400 students. The photograph also appeared in programs that were sold at football games.
According to police, Osborn told them he had exposed himself as a prank and was “disgusted” at what he had done.
While some people think the 19-year-old got what he deserved, Osborn has a lot of support. A petition entitled “Free Hunter Osborn” was created on change.org. The petition notes Osborn spent Saturday night in jail and missed his school’s senior prom.
Organizers of the petition and others say Osborn is being used as a scapegoat. Many believe the photographer who took the picture, the teachers responsible for the yearbook, and the editors of the book should also face consequences. As of the time of this writing, the petition has garnered just under 3,000 signatures.
The school district is undertaking an investigation into how the publication of the photo could have been prevented.
Osborn has been released from custody but must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. If convicted, the teen will be placed on the sex offender registry.
