Two of four teens arrested for vandalizing del Buono
sentenced
San Martin – Two of the four teens arrested for vandalizing Antonio del Buono Elementary School last summer were sentenced Monday morning to three years probation, 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay restitution to the school.
Gilroy residents Jorden Matthew Newton, 19, Christian Javier, 18, David Sanchez, 18, and Morgan Hill resident Jacob Cortes, 18, were arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the school Aug. 4, 2005.
All four teens were originally charged with possession of stolen property – a felony, and vandalism and petty theft – misdemeanors. Charges against Cortes and Javier were dropped after it became clear they were not a part of the vandalism, defense attorneys said.
However, after plea bargaining with the District Attorney’s office, Newton and Sanchez saw their charges reduced to vandalism. Newton pleaded guilty and Sanchez pleaded no contest to vandalism charges last month.
Police believe the suspects broke into the school and set off fire extinguishers in the hallways and restrooms, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage.
At the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse, Superior Court Judge Hugh F. Mullin ordered Newton and Sanchez to pay $468 to Antonio del Buono, as well as serve 200 hours of community service and three years on probation. Neither teen is allowed on any school campus they do not currently attend, unless approved by administrators or probation officers.
Del Buono principal Tammy Gabel has asked that the teens serve community service at the elementary school so that they can understand who it was that was hurt by their actions.
Deputy District Attorney Frank Carrubba repeated this request Monday.
Court documents revealed that police confiscated a digital camera containing photographs of the suspects inside the school from inside the suspects car, as well as a fire extinguisher from the school. Footprints were found linking one of the suspects to the crime.
Court records linked Newton to a previous break-in at the school March 26. Review of an audiotape recorded while the suspects were in custody indicate Newton admitted to a prior act of vandalism, which police linked to the March incident at del Buono. He is heard admitting to making entry through a roof access and vandalizing the interior of the school.
According to public defender Evan Kurtzman, Cortes and Javier remained outside the school when the other two teens went inside to use the restroom.
After listening to the audiotape it became very clear that Cortes, whom he represented, had no prior knowledge that the two teens were going inside to vandalize the school.
“I think doing community service is a good way to serve their punishment,” he said.
