It has been said that one man’s justice is another man’s injustice, but in the case of the “Ring of Life” vandal, Nick Johnson, one man’s justice is an unrealistically light sentence.Story County judge Dale E. Ruigh passed sentence, if one can call it that, on Johnson Monday. Johnson must pay restitution to ISU museums to the tune of $36,662. In addition to simply paying for the actual damage of his crime, Johnson will be performing 200 hours of unpaid community service. Perhaps the sweetest part of this deal for Johnson is that he received a deferred judgment. That means that as long as he manages to not break any more laws for the next five years, he will not have to suffer the stigma of a felony record. Since Johnson pleaded guilty to this crime, the judge had no choice but to make him pay the $36,662. And as far as 200 hours of community service goes, that is a mere five weeks working full time. The judge couldn’t have made that much sweeter if he had decided to pay Johnson.The deferred judgment is practically a reward.This sentence is not a slap on the wrist. It is barely a tap on the shoulder to get Johnson’s attention. Did Judge Ruigh take one look at Johnson’s clean cut face and neat preppy suit and think to himself “boys will be boys?” Boys might well be boys and judges might well be lenient when the criminal in question has a white enough collar. Lucky for Johnson.At the very least, Johnson should have to be labeled a felon for the rest of his life. No one should get off this easy after doing this much damage.

editorialboard: Carrie Tett, Greg Jerrett, Katie Goldsmith, Andrea Hauser and Jocelyn Marcus