"Jail time? What a warped society this has become. It was a rock, people! It was stupid to do in a park setting. How many of you have done things in park settings that were against the rules? Like having your pet off leash, picking up a neat looking rock you found or some artifact,? How many of you went off trail to see what was off in another direction? Pay a fine and move on!"
Well I think this is a lot more serious that letting Fido off the leash. But I think it would throw a big scare into these guys to do a couple weeks of going to their local jail after they get off work plus all weekend. Plus it would send a message to other idiots. If I recall correctly this fellow was leading a Scout Troop when this incident occurred. They should see that society takes foolish behavior like this seriously.
As someone else pointed out, this guy is probably a first offender and the chance of him actually serving prison time is just about zero. Unless he behaves very badly before the judge. Community service is what he will get probably plus a fine lower than that $5000.
BK