(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: 18-year-old Landon Anthony Gerdes of Forest City received a deferred judgement for reckless use of fire or explosives or destructive devices, a serious misdemeanor.

Gerdes was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $430.00 plus court costs, and will be under the Iowa Department of Correctional Services’ supervision for one year.

—–PREVIOUS STORY—–

(ABC 6 News) – One of the Forest City teenagers accused of setting off explosive devices in the Forest City High School parking lot in September has received a deferred judgment from a Winnebago County judge.

18-year-old David Michael Rick pleaded guilty to reckless use of fire or explosives or destructive devices, a serious misdemeanor.

David Michael Rick / Winnebago County jail

Under the terms of the agreement, Rick will be under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Correctional Services for two years. He was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $430.00 plus court costs.

A deferred judgment refers to a postponed or delayed judgment. In a deferred judgment, the court gives a defendant an opportunity to complete a probationary period before sentencing and prior to any entry of conviction. If the defendant successfully completes probation at the conclusion of the probationary period, the court will review the defendant’s file and may dismiss the charges against him/her.

———————————————–PREVIOUS STORY————————————————–

(ABC 6 News) – Two Forest City teenagers have been charged in relation to an explosives incident in the Forest City High School parking lot Sept. 7.

According to Winnebago County court documents, 18-year-olds David Michael Rick and Landon Anthony Gerdes are accused of setting off three “pool chemical bombs” around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 7.

Rick was taken into custody Sept. 7 and appeared in Winnebago County Court Monday, Sept. 18, on a charge of felony possession of explosive materials or destructive device with intent to use; and another charge of serious misdemeanor reckless use of explosives or destructive device.

According to court documents, Gerdes was charged by summons a day later, and is scheduled to appear in court Monday, Sept. 25.

Gerdes faces a charge of serious misdemeanor reckless use of explosives or destructive device; as well as a charge of felony threat–explosive or incendiary device.

Defense attorney Christine Branstad, representing Gerdes, shared the following statement Monday night:

“Mr. Gerdes takes these charges seriously, but also wants the public to be aware the allegation is that two teens mixed cola with pool chlorinator then closed bottles and allowed the reaction to cause a pressure explosion of the bottles, approximately three times.

The actions occurred in a parking lot where spectators gathered to watch from some distance.

The current charges do not allege the teens intended to threaten, alarm, or harm people or property.

Mr. Gerdes and his family encourage adults and teens to be aware of the dangers of such internet-encouraged actions.”

Forest City public schools superintendent Darwin Lehmann said he could not comment on the ongoing criminal investigation.