Lex teen sentenced for taking gun on school grounds

MANSFIELD – The Lexington teen who brought a loaded gun to football practice in August was sentenced today in Richland County Juvenile Court.

Judge Ron Spon ordered the 15-year-old be sentenced to the Ohio Department of Youth Services for six months, as required by law, but Spon immediately suspended the sentence, laying out numerous conditions and community control/probation until age 21.

Spon said the teen has not had much of a criminal history before this incident.

The teen, whom the News Journal is not identifying, was charged with illegal conveyance of a firearm into a school safety zone in August. In September, the teen was expelled from the Lexington schools, according to Superintendent J. Michael Ziegelhofer.

The teen has served 78 days in juvenile detention. Spon said he would consider releasing the youth on the 90th day, which could be in 12 days, taking into consideration time served. A detention review hearing will be held.

Initially the teen's attorney Terry Hitchman opposed the media being present for the disposition. Richland County First Assistant Prosecutor John Nieft said he did not oppose the media's presence. The News Journal was not planning to name the youth, thus the reporter was permitted to stay for the teen's hearing.

His family members sat quietly in the courtroom.

Spon talked to the teen about the seriousness of his actions.

"When I go home I need to change my behavior," he told the judge when the judge asked for reassurances that nothing like this would occur in the future.

The judge said he had reports of bullying occurring, and said bringing a weapon to school was not the solution. The teen said he would tell an adult in the future instead of carrying a weapon.

"Never let your own emotions get control of you and drive your decisions. It's a very bad place to be," Spon told him.

Spon attached numerous conditions to the teen's case going forward, including both parents being present to discuss release conditions; the teen can't be on Lexington schools property; no alcohol or illegal drugs; no possession of firearms, ammunition, air guns or knives; writing an apology letter to the Lexington schools; 100 hours of charity work; and family counseling. The teen also must participate in one positive activity each week, such as a church youth group, athletics or some other wholesome activity, Spon said.

Spon also required the youth participate in a Dream Team peer-oriented mentoring program. Spon will meet with the teen once every two weeks to monitor his progress for three to 15 months, and these meetings will involve parents, probation officer, counselor and others.

Nieft said the youth has anger issues and noted the teen had not had any counseling while incarcerated at the juvenile detention facility.

Earlier, Ziegelhofer said the expulsion is effective for the entire school year. The student will be permitted to return to Lexington schools on the first day of class of the 2015-16 school year, Ziegelhofer said.

Police received a call at 7:23 p.m. Aug. 20 from the football coaching staff. During practice, a student told staff that another student may have brought a gun to practice, police said.

Upon checking, staff found a loaded handgun in a backpack belonging to a student.

Earlier, Lexington police public information Officer Andrew Smallstey said the student was charged with illegal conveyance of a firearm into a school safety zone. No additional charges have been filed.

After being taken into custody without incident, the student told police the weapon was for protection.

Smallstey said the student brought a Ruger P-90, which is a .45-caliber handgun, onto the school grounds.

"The young man just moved into our district from a neighboring district," Ziegelhofer said earlier. "He was not participating in football. He was interested in playing, but did not have all the requirements completed yet and was at practice observing."

The 15-year-old boy enrolled in the district Aug. 19.

Ziegelhofer said the boys on the team overheard a conversation about a weapon in a backpack and told staff.

"Our head football coach and his staff handled it perfectly and our kids handled it perfectly," Ziegelhofer said. "We tell them if you see something, tell someone. We harp on it and the outcome we had is because those kids were willing to do something right."

Ziegelhofer said he and coaches met with parents and players the day after the incident.

The police incident report was filed by football coach Taylor Gerhardt.

The News Journal filed a public records request with Lexington police for additional police records about the incident. Smallstey said the request will be honored when the investigation is completed.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir