[Editor’s note: This article has been modified since its original publication.]

Although biology freshman John A. White has been charged with five counts of attempted armed robbery, friends describe him as a hard-working, laid-back student.

White himself said he was doing well in school and was enjoying Loyola before his arrest.

“I apologize for what I’ve done,” White said. “I didn’t realize how many lives I affected … it was indeed just a prank.”

White, who wants to go to medical school, also said he views his situation as a learning experience.

Orleans Parish criminal court judge Gerald Hansen charged White on Oct. 18, along with finance junior Chukwuemeka Anigbo and management freshman Mohamed Diakite, after New Orleans police arrested the trio for demanding money from Uptown pedestrians.

“It’s going to wind up in court in some fashion,” said Townsend Myers, White’s attorney. “The (District Attorney) is evaluating the charges and (hopes) to come to a resolution to everyone’s satisfaction very quickly … anyone can see that this was not an armed robbery, it was just a prank.”

In the meantime, White has been released from prison. Whether he’s been allowed back in class or into the dorms is still unclear, though. Chris Cameron, director of Co-Curricular Activities , declined to release that information, citing a privacy policy in Loyola’s student handbook.

White’s friends were shocked by his arrest. They describe the freshman, an equipment manager of the basketball team, as relaxed and friendly.

“I wouldn’t have expected it from him,” said Dominique Webb, mass communication freshman. “He’s a laid-back kind of person, not really a jokester. And he’s really involved with the basketball team. I don’t know how he even found the time to do something like that.”

Brian Dirden, mass communication sophomore, and Jarod Santoro, general business freshman, are both acquainted with White, and Santoro was a dorm neighbor. They both agree that the crime was out of character.

Dirden said that he was “hurt” and “shocked” by the news of the arrest.

Santoro said that White is “really nice, not an aggressive person. (He’s) outgoing and friendly, talks to everyone.” He described White as “driven” and “hard-working.” “School meant a lot to him,” he said.

“I wouldn’t lose any respect for him (regardless of what happens),” said Webb. “He’s a friend of mine, and I hope everything works out alright.”

Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at [email protected].

Matt Manco can be reached at [email protected].