The Sand Creek Township home of State Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, was vandalized as part of a homecoming prank gone too far.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department was called early on the morning of Sept. 29 for a report of vandalism. The damage included a garbage can thrown into the swimming pool, restaurant-size bags of rice and flour poured into the pool, and human excrement left on the front porch.

Buesgens said the damage, which could cost more than $2,000 to repair, was done by a group of Jordan High School students.

Jordan High School Principal Mark Ruggeberg said two students have admitted to specific acts of vandalism. He said he knows there were more than two students involved.

Ruggeberg said one student was given the option of missing a football game or serving an in-school suspension during a scheduled holiday. That student chose the suspension. The school will issue a harsher punishment to

the second student, based on the severity of the damage the student caused.

Ruggeberg first heard of the vandalism Sept. 29, after the homecoming pep rally. He said he knows of 18 high school seniors who were at the house that night and a handful of younger students.

Ruggeberg said he understands that homecoming toilet-papering and prank-pulling are common traditions, but this crossed a line. He said the students were acting under a mob mentality.

"The intent wasn’t to do damage, but it happened," Ruggeberg said.

Scott County Sheriff Dave Menden said he is checking into the incident. He said that in some cases like this, the homeowners decide not to file a report, and that is usually noted in the sheriff’s records. It has not been noted on this case.

Buesgens said he hadn’t filed a report, but he believes he will have to.

"When it comes to the costly destruction, somebody has to recoup those costs," he said.

Buesgens said he didn’t know the complete cost of the damage and won’t have a final cost until his pool is cleaned.

He said the pool cover was torn, and that will cost $300 to replace. If the pool needs a new pump, that could cost an additional $1,500 to $2,000. In addition to the pool, Buesgens said there were cans of stewed tomatoes thrown around, garbage spread throughout the yard, plants torn up, and pornographic images painted on his front lawn.

Menden said damage to property over $1,000 is considered a felony.

Ruggeberg said about one-third of the students were members of the Hubmen football team. He said there were also team members from the other high school fall sports at the house.

If punishment is deemed necessary, Jay Lepper, the Hubmen football coach, said the team would back any decision the administration makes. He has already talked to his players about the incident during practice.

"It’s a situation I have never encountered, either when I was playing or coaching, so I don’t know how to handle it," Lepper said. "We will adhere to the Minnesota State High School League rules, and adhere and abide by the punishment that our own school district has in place.

"We preach all the time to do the right thing, especially in a week like homecoming," Lepper said. "A big group gets together, and they take it too far. But there is a line you just don’t cross, you don’t damage property."

Ruggeberg said many of the students involved went to the Buesgens’ house the day after the incident to help clean up. Even some students who weren’t involved helped with the clean up.

"That’s what should have happened," Ruggeberg said.

Ruggeberg said what needs to be done now is to try to keep anything like this from happening again. He said he’s already addressed all of the senior boys as a group about the issue, and also specifically talked to those students involved. He said with Halloween and graduation yet to come this school year, the students need to know the consequences they could face.

Ruggeberg said parents know where their students are, too. He said other parents are knowingly allowing their children to participate.

"They’re going out and buying some of these items, and maybe even driving (the students) around," he said.

Chief Bob Malz said the Jordan Police Department received and is investigating two other calls of vandalism associated with homecoming. Both involve damage to vehicles.

"The perpetrators of these vandalisms crossed the line and should be held accountable," Malz said in an e-mail. "Homecoming tradition is not a license to carry out wanton destruction throughout the community."

Sports Editor Brian Hall contributed to this story.

Brandon Otte is a staff writer for the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at botte@swpub.com.