PACE, FL - A federal judge has filed criminal contempt charges against two Pace High School administrators alleging they violated a court order by offering a blessing at a school sponsored luncheon.

Its the latest development in the nearly year-long court case filed by the ACLU on behalf of two Pace High Students.

Channel Three's Greg Neumann joins us live with more details, Greg.

While the attorney for Pace High Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman calls the actions of judge Casey Rodgers unusual, many Pace residents say they're downright disturbing.

These signs are at homes and business throughout the pace community put out by people who support prayer in school.

"I think its real important for not only Santa Rosa County but Escambia County and Okaloosa County and the surrounding counties to make a stand for it."

Dentist Reid Hines has a sign at his business and says just about everyone who shares is point of view is mystified by recent developments.

"It's disturbing, you know, that when you read it, you hear about it. Somebody can actually be charged with criminal charges for praying, you know. Where is it going at this point?"

It all stems from a blessing Robert Freeman allegedly gave during a school sponsored luncheon at the request of Frank Lay on January 28th.

That was just nine days after Rodgers issued an order, prohibiting school officials from promoting or endorsing any prayers or religious activities at school sponsored events.

The attorney for Lay and Freeman says the ACLU brought the issue to Rodgers' attention but did not seek civil contempt charges.

"The court therefore decided it was going to institute criminal contempt proceedings against both Mr. Lay and his athletic director Robert Freeman. Because the court believes that that mechanism is procedurally available to the court itself even if another litigant does not request it."

Attorney Harry Mihet is with the Religious Based Liberty Counsel of Orlando.

He says no matter if the allegations are civil or criminal, he's confident his clients did nothing wrong.

"The blessing of the meal did take place. What we will show the court is that the manner in which it took place and the circumstances in which it took place did not violate the court's preliminary injunction."

Harry Mihet will argue that point at a hearing in front of Judge Casey Rodgers on September 21.Contempt Charges Filed Against Two Pace HS Administrators