You break it, you buy it. Teen learns the hard way.

[Rain Man]

The part about letting him have a pay schedule made me laugh.

In all seriousness, how do you punish someone for a crime like this? Prison seems off target (maybe), but $36 million is basically a life sentence. Maybe that's appropriate, but it was one bad decision by a 15 year old.


https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/21/us/teen-ordered-to-pay-millions-for-starting-eagle-creek-wildfire-trnd/index.html

Teen who started fire that burned 48,000 acres ordered to pay $36 million

When you play with fire, there are bound to be consequences.

For one teenager, that consequence comes with the jarring price tag of $36 million.

On Monday, an Oregon judge ordered the boy, who pleaded guilty to starting the Eagle Creek wildfire last year, to pay $36,618,330.24 in restitution to cover the damages.

The teen said he tossed fireworks in the woods while hiking on Eagle Creek trail on Sept. 2, 2017, according to court documents obtained by CNN. One of those fireworks ignited the massive wildfire in Oregon, which burned more than 48,000 acres.

The Vancouver, Washington, youth, who was 15 at the time of the incident, appeared at a hearing on Thursday. He is not being named because he's a minor. The 11 claims from the state and other parties totaled $36 million, something the teen's attorney called absurd, according to CNN affiliate KOIN.

The teen's attorney, Jack Morris, said the hefty fine violated the Oregon and US Constitutions, citing the Eighth Amendment, which protects people from excessive fines and "cruel and unusual punishment," according to the judge's written opinion.

Hood River County Circuit Court Judge John A. Olson wrote in his opinion that the judgment doesn't violate the constitution. "The restitution is clearly proportionate to the offense because it does not exceed the financial damages caused by the youth," he wrote.

"I'm satisfied that the restitution ordered in this case bears a sufficient relationship to the gravity of the offenses for which the youth was adjudicated," he wrote.

CNN tried to contact Morris, the defense lawyer, on Monday but he did not call back.

The order says the following organizations and people should be receiving money:

$5,000 to Iris Schenk
$8,111.44 to Allstate Insurance
$31,550.90 to Oregon State Parks
$100,000 to Heuker Properties
$168,000 to Trail Club of Oregon
$1,048,877.52 to Union Pacific Railroad
$1,643,035.38 to Oregon State Fire Marshal
$12,500,000 to Oregon Department of Transportation
$21,113,755 to US Forest Service

If the teen cannot pay the millions in full, the court has said he could establish a pay schedule through the Hood River Juvenile Department.

In February, the teenager apologized in court and was sentenced to five years probation and 1,920 hours of community service with the U.S. Forest Service, reported CNN affiliate KPTV.

[Simply Red]

generation Y folks.

[ptlyon]

Hey, it's not like he screwed his teacher or anything...

[Rain Man]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.

[ptlyon]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.

"I ain't payin it"

[BigRichard]

So doesn't that go away once he hits 19? It was my understanding that if you are being charged as a minor they can't "punish" you past the age of 19. Not sure if that applies here or if I even have my facts straight.

[SuperChief]

Time to move to Me-hi-co.

[Valiant]

From what I read his pay will be garnished for either 10 or 15 years. Then it is done. So at best he pays 100k back.

[ptlyon]

From what I read his pay will be garnished for either 10 or 15 years. Then it is done. So at best he pays 100k back.

Then we take it with blood

[ClevelandBronco]

I hope Iris is first and not last on the list.

[Flying High D]

Union Pacific Railroad definitely needs the money. Railroads have never gouged anyone ever.

[Fish]

Time to move to Me-hi-co.

No shit. Zero reason to stay in the US at that point.

[vailpass]

I hope Iris is first and not last on the list.

Me too. Wonder what her damages were?

[ChiliConCarnage]

Me too. Wonder what her damages were?

I googled, it seems like she lost her home to the fire. I can only assume the 5k is her insurance deductible? Lost almost all their belongings.. sucks.

[vailpass]

I googled, it seems like she lost her home to the fire. I can only assume the 5k is her insurance deductible? Lost almost all their belongings.. sucks.

Oh that sux. For that low dollar amount I figured it was something like an outbuilding or a dressage training course.
Good looking up skills on part though, thanks.

[Pitt Gorilla]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.I'm sorry, do I know you?

[Rain Man]

Union Pacific Railroad definitely needs the money. Railroads have never gouged anyone ever.

Yeah, I saw that and realized that this kid is in serious trouble. From the little I know about railroads, they'll have a team of people standing next to him his entire life grabbing every paycheck, every penny he finds on the ground, and every morsel of food he picks up.

[BucEyedPea]

Doesn't insurance cover that for some on that list?

[ClevelandBronco]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.

Son, it's time you give some serious thought to becoming a high-level drug dealer.

[frozenchief]

It doesn’t go away when he hits 19. It’s not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Even though he owes US Forestry, this appears to be in Oregon state court so it may ultimately be discharged as unpayable. In federal court, he could request relief after paying for 20 years. He might get it or might not.

[Rain Man]

Doesn't insurance cover that for some on that list?

Yeah, but his deductible was $37 million.

[Chief Pagan]

It doesn’t go away when he hits 19. It’s not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Even though he owes US Forestry, this appears to be in Oregon state court so it may ultimately be discharged as unpayable. In federal court, he could request relief after paying for 20 years. He might get it or might not.

If he was a minor when he caused the damage, I would have thought his parents would have been on the hook, not the teen.

[Nickhead]

i am sure this kid is a very bright student who will excel academically and end up with a fine job that not only allows him a decent lifestyle but will also be able to pay the amount in full :D

[ghak99]

He might as well buy a tent and move to California or Hawaii and learn to enjoy the homeless beach life.

[Amnorix]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.

File bankruptcy. This should not be non-dischargeable debt.

[Amnorix]

It doesn’t go away when he hits 19. It’s not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Even though he owes US Forestry, this appears to be in Oregon state court so it may ultimately be discharged as unpayable. In federal court, he could request relief after paying for 20 years. He might get it or might not.

I'm no bankruptcy lawyer. Why wouldn't it be dischargeable?


EDIT: Urf, never mind. This is criminal restitution, not civil payments on a lawsuit. Probably not dischargeable. Yeah, he's fucked. Move overseas. I'm dead serious.

[stevieray]

Boy, is he going to have excellent credit.

[frozenchief]

If he was a minor when he caused the damage, I would have thought his parents would have been on the hook, not the teen.

Some states will allow that but it is highly dependent upon the law of the jurisdiction. I don't know Oregon law but wanted to give an overview of laws that generally apply in these types of cases.

[frozenchief]

I'm no bankruptcy lawyer. Why wouldn't it be dischargeable?


EDIT: Urf, never mind. This is criminal restitution, not civil payments on a lawsuit. Probably not dischargeable. Yeah, he's ****ed. Move overseas. I'm dead serious.

Yeah, bankruptcy law prohibits discharge of a criminal restitution order in bankruptcy.

11 U.S.C. §532(a)(7). Kelly v. Robinson, 479 US 36 (1986).

[Nickhead]

here is my question?

with this case, will this kid be able to apply for any student loans ROFL

i joke, but this part does suck as his chances of having a college education is going to be minimal. provided his heart is in the right place and matures appropriately :D

[displacedinMN]

eat a tide pod kid

[kccrow]

Server the probation and community service, then move to Vancouver.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

He should check his emails to see if a long-lost foreign relative or a mega-wealthy Nigerian Prince needs some assistance. A lot of times, because of overseas banking regulations, if you wire them a couple grand, they'll send you a few million dollars back. It's pocket change to them.

[JoeyChuckles]

How did they catch the kid, did he confess initially?

[Rain Man]

How did they catch the kid, did he confess initially?

I'm curious about that as well. I'm not sure what proof they would have, and he's probably regretting his confession. I bet he didn't think it would end up like this.

[TimeForWasp]

It is obvious to me they are just trying to scare the kid and make an example.

[T-post Tom]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.

Erase your name from his birth certificate and move to another state while he is asleep.

[seclark]

if you ask me, the fuckin kid got off easy.
sec

[bigjosh]

35 million of it to be paid to the government. Give me a fucking break.

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

[Best22]

Kid shouldn't have to pay that for a mistake. It was a mistake by a dumb 15 year old and he ADMITTED it.

If it was intentional, then it's a different story. No one should ever be punished like this over negligence (unless someone is a professional and is negligent with the equipment they were trained to properly used).

Far too much for this kid. Hope this is settled in some way

[seclark]

35 million of it to be paid to the government. Give me a ****ing break.

Sent from my LGMP450 using TapatalkKid shouldn't have to pay that for a mistake. It was a mistake by a dumb 15 year old and he ADMITTED it.

If it was intentional, then it's a different story. No one should ever be punished like this over negligence (unless someone is a professional and is negligent with the equipment they were trained to properly used).

Far too much for this kid. Hope this is settled in some way

i hear what you're both saying. but before it's all over, the kid's getting off easy.
sec

[Graystoke]

Raise your hand if this could have happened to you when you were 15.
Insert Raised hand gif

[KChiefs1]

I'm curious about the conversation he and his parents had afterwards. Parents, what do you say to your kid when he's just been ordered to pay $36 million in restitution? This is a genuine question, not a rhetorical one.



“Not my kid.”

[KChiefs1]

I hope Iris is first and not last on the list.



I wonder what he did to Iris? She is the only private individual on the list.

[Tombstone RJ]

I think the kid should pay $ back to the private citizens and businesses that sustained damages and/or financial burden. But he shouldn't have to pay the government institutions jack. They already get paid by him and his parents, and everyone else.

Judge is being an assclown.

[threebag]

Yeah pack up and move to another region of the globe.

[Otter]

On the bright side - student loans are going to look like maxing out your parents $300 credit limit card for wings and keg night for plebe night at frat house.

[Garcia Bronco]

It's a stupid ruling. S*** happens.

[bigjosh]

Raise your hand if this could have happened to you when you were 15.
Insert Raised hand gifI was having roman candle and bottle rocket wars at 12 or 13.

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

[GloucesterChief]

Kid should move to southern Europe and just work under the table for the rest of his life.

[Iowanian]

They just sentenced that kid to never working an honest day of his life. Why would he?

[kccrow]

It's a ridiculous amount that totals $36,618,330.24.

If he paid back 1% in his lifetime, they should consider themselves fortunate and anything above that an absolute bonus.

At a garnishment of 25% over 45 years, he'd have to average an annual salary of $32,549.63. Median income per capita 2016 was $31,099.

The Judge in this case is being absolutely foolish. There is no way this should hold up as a "reasonable" restitution in a court of appeals.

[rocknrolla]

Raise your hand if this could have happened to you when you were 15.
Insert Raised hand gif

This easily could have been me. We built a treehouse/fort when I was about 13 and had a fire pit inside. Yes, I was 13,one day we saw fire trucks and cops spraying the whole acre surrounding . We watched it all unfold from the school bus, I honestly cannot believe nothing was ever said!

[Fire Me Boy!]

No way that punishment holds up in appeals.

[Valiant]

News article states judge orders that the boy can setup payment plan, though payments can be halted after 10 years as long as he complies, completes probation and doesn't commit other crimes.

That is fair.

[Skyy God]

1,920 hours is a LOT of community service.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Raise your hand if this could have happened to you when you were 15.
Insert Raised hand gif

11
Gas, caps,matches, plastic green army soldiers... a boy's version of armageddon

[MagicHef]

It's a ridiculous amount that totals $36,618,330.24.

If he paid back 1% in his lifetime, they should consider themselves fortunate and anything above that an absolute bonus.

At a garnishment of 25% over 45 years, he'd have to average an annual salary of $32,549.63. Median income per capita 2016 was $31,099.

The Judge in this case is being absolutely foolish. There is no way this should hold up as a "reasonable" restitution in a court of appeals.

You're off by a factor of 100. He'd have to work 4500 years at that salary.

[Skyy God]

You're off by a factor of 100. He'd have to work 4500 years at that salary.

It’s an attention grab by the dbag judge.

[kccrow]

You're off by a factor of 100. He'd have to work 4500 years at that salary.

You read for shit. I said if he paid back 1%.

[Willie Lanier]

You read for shit. I said if he paid back 1%.

Math is hard at high altitude, as is reading comprehension

[MagicHef]

You read for shit. I said if he paid back 1%.

In a separate paragraph you did, I suppose. Hopefully you don't write for a living.

[Rain Man]

Does he get charged interest? Because even at 3%, he has to pay $1 million a year just to keep the debt from increasing.

[kccrow]

In a separate paragraph you did, I suppose. Hopefully you don't write for a living.

You realize the average IQ on this board is about 50 correct? I'm hardly going to put forth the effort to make a concise sentence, much less fucking paragraphs. Consider the entire post one paragraph so that you can comprehend it better.

[Baby Lee]

Given the thread, and the author, seems appropriate.

https://jalopnik.com/how-one-suv-fire-destroyed-45-million-in-cars-damaged-1826086012

[MarkDavis'Haircut]

Maybe Billy Joel can help him raise the money?

[Rain Man]

Given the thread, and the author, seems appropriate.

https://jalopnik.com/how-one-suv-fire-destroyed-45-million-in-cars-damaged-1826086012

Wow. That's a messy situation.