Clabeau Left, Langan Right.JPG

Garret M. Clabeaux and George S. Langan

(Provided photo)

The three Cazenovia High School students who were charged Monday in connection with leaving a chemical explosive at their teacher's home were upset about their grades, state police said.

The three teenagers didn't like their grades in the science teacher's class and so they decided to 'prank' her, said Jack Keller, speaking for the New York State Police.

Keaton R. Ackermann, 17, of Erieville; Garret M. Clabeaux, 18, of New Woodstock; and George S. Langan, 18, of Cazenovia, all were charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, police said.

The three Cazenovia High School students also are charged with disorderly conduct and trespass, both violations, state police said, in connection with the Jan. 31 incident. The students were arrested and charged after a two-month investigation.

Ackermann's attorney, Scott Brenneck, said today his client isn't going to be charged with a misdeameanor, just the violations.

Keaton R. Ackermann

The teens came up with the idea for the "prank" from an online video and decided to create a chemical bomb they could throw outside her home, police said. The idea was to create a loud noise when the chemicals inside the bottle expand, police said.

Troopers determined the plastic bottle contained a corrosive liquid chemical and other items which were designed to explode on contact.

The teens drove out to the teacher's home in the town of Madison. When they arrived, they threw one of the plastic bottles bottles onto the second floor balcony, according to police. The other bottle landed on the ground underneath the balcony.

As the teens ran back to their vehicle, they waited for the loud noise, Keller said. However, neither bottle exploded. While they waited, one of the teens took a sledgehammer from the vehicle and damaged the teacher's mailbox, police said.

The teacher, Kristin Reichert, had expressed her shock and concern about the incident on her personal Facebook page. She has since removed her comments.

The state police Bomb Disposal Unit responded to the residence, and neutralized both devices.

State police bomb techs said the bomb was designed to explode after the chemicals mix inside the bottle, which creates a buildup of gas.

The explosion can be severe enough to cause second or third-degree burns or blindness, state police said.

The investigation is continuing, and state police said more arrests may be coming. State police only released two mug shots.

Cazenovia administrators said students were disciplined in connection with the incident, but would not provide specifics.