When members of an Orange County band caused a massive traffic nightmare on a Los Angeles freeway in October by jamming atop their truck, they defended their action by saying they wanted to raise awareness about homeless children.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles district attorney officially responded to their publicity stunt by slapping the three musicians with felony conspiracy charges.

“This was not a matter involving free speech or lawful protest,” said District Attorney Steve Cooley in a written statement. “This was a well-orchestrated commercial stunt perpetrated by these defendants and their accomplices with no concern for the lives or well-being of thousands of innocent victims who were caught up in the prank.

“I hope this filing sends a strong message of deterrence,” Cooley said. “This type of dangerous behavior will not be tolerated.”

The members of Buena Park-based Imperial Stars — Christopher Roy Wright, 32, David Paul Hale, 30, and Keith R. Yackey, 32 — were arrested and freed on $20,000 bail each.

They are expected to appear in Superior Court in December for arraignment, but an exact date has not been set, said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.

The complaint alleges one felony count of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance. It also charges Wright, Hale and Yackey with one misdemeanor count each of public nuisance and false imprisonment, and two misdemeanor counts of resisting, obstructing or delaying Los Angeles police and California Highway Patrol officers.

If convicted of the felony, the maximum sentence would be three years in state prison. The misdemeanor charges carry sentences ranging from six months for public nuisance to a year each for the rest, Gibbons said.

The huge traffic jam on the 101 freeway occurred shortly after 10 a.m. on Oct. 12.

A large truck sporting an advertisement for the band blocked all but one lane of the southbound freeway at Sunset Boulevard. The driver reportedly fled with the keys to the vehicle while the band launched into a concert atop the truck.

The driver of the truck will be charged as a co-conspirator when identified, Gibbons said.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3764 or ghardesty@ocregister.com