San Diego County District Attorney's office dismissed felony vandalism charges against four U.S. Marines accused of rocking the gondola they were in, causing the ride to fail.
About 100 passengers were on the ride on January 29th when the ride halted. It took a little more than two hours for zoo staff and San Diego Fire-Rescue crews to help them all off.
In February, SDPD was not able to share if there were other actions of the vandalism.
NBC 7 was made aware that the case was dismissed on November 7, by Matthew A. Lopas, the attorney representing the group of Marines.
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The case was dismissed "in the interest of justice," a spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney's office confirmed, adding they negotiated an agreement. After six months of "no new violations of the law and full payment of the restitution."
The District Attorney's office further confirmed that the defendants paid the full amount of restitution of $18,260 to the San Diego Zoo.
"The restitution ordered by the court reimburses the Zoo for losses incurred as a result of the damage caused, covering repairs and inspection costs and related expenses," a spokesperson for the San Diego Zoo confirmed to NBC 7.
Third Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson, Maj. Mason Englehart, previously told NBC 7 that, “anyone found in violation of law or directive will be held appropriately accountable,” adding that the group's "behavior is contrary to our core values, and 3rd MAW is conducting a separate investigation into the matter as we take misconduct very seriously.”
"The Marines could be charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), federal laws that apply to all active-duty military members," Englehart added.
On Monday, Englehart shared with NBC 7 that "following a thorough command investigation, leadership of the four Marines addressed the matter appropriately. The four Marines paid the full amount of restitution to the San Diego Zoo."
Englehart would not specify further as to what specific punishments, if any, were issued.
