MUSKEGON COUNTY — The infamous

YouTube video that authorities say turned

has been taken off the Internet.

The packed, emotionally-fueled courtroom full of family members and media covering the high-profile case Wednesday has emptied.

And the 21-year-old man behind all the drama, after being formally charged, has been released from the Muskegon County Jail.

But the damage, say those on both sides of the issue, has already been done.

“We’re just a little bit worried and scared. We’re just here to see if Evan is OK,” North Muskegon’s Steve Dunn said of his friend, Emory, who was arraigned Wednesday on the felony charge at Muskegon County’s 60th District Court.

Dunn attended the court hearing with several members of Emory’s family and friends.

when creating and posting the video.

“This is a young man who has creativity and skills, and he’s musically inclined and an amateur comedian,” Nolan said before Emory’s arraignment.

Nolan said Emory meant for the video to be funny, not disturbing.

“It looks like we have a kiddy porn guy, and this couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said.

During Emory’s arraignment, Muskegon County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Matt Roberts argued that a higher bond should be set for Emory due to the “exploitation and manipulation of children” that occurred during the making of the video.

Roberts said Emory produced and posted the video for “fame and notoriety” and abused the entire classroom of children when he coached them to react a certain way.

“Those reactions are the most disturbing part of the video,” Roberts said, adding that Emory allegedly told the children to show expressions of “horror” and “shock” that he timed to go along with sexual lyrics in the edited song.

However, Nolan again argued that his client is a “pretty good kid” and didn’t mean to harm anyone.

“This case comes along because a young talented man was not thinking,” Nolan said. “He was going to present this (video) as something funny. I know he’s remorseful...He’s had time to reflect on it and realizes what he did. He’s not likely to recommit this crime, if it’s a crime.”

As part of Emory’s bond, the judge prohibited Emory from posting any more videos on “social networks” or participating in any open-microphone nights.

Emory is also to have no contact with minor children, as a condition of the bond, the judge said, except for those he has contact with at his job at a local restaurant.

Some people in the community expressed shock and anger that Emory was charged with such a serious crime.

David Addicott, 25, said he and Emory have mutual friends, and though he had not seen the video, he thought Emory has been cooperative.

“We feel that it’s taken a little bit out of proportion — blown way too far,” he said.

But Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague said the felony charge was justifiable because the video was “disturbing” and clearly “victimized” the youngsters.

Cox said she and other parents believe Emory deserves what he gets.

“I’m very happy about the charge,” Cox said.

Emory’s friend, Dunn, disagrees.

“I don’t think Evan is going to learn some lesson by sitting in jail,” he said.

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