I don't think these felony charges will really hold up in the long run, so it should be fine. Discipline the student with detentions or other such similar reprimands, but more importantly help him understand that in today's world; letters and numbers are the keys of today's world. And that breaking into someone's computer, no matter how seemingly harmless the intent, is grounds for severe consequences if he were an adult.

The sheriff's statement is a bit of a bait considering it's one sentence taken out of a potentially longer interview, so I'll leave it at that.