A case involving two San Pasqual High School students who were found to have knives in their cars, which were parked on campus, is being investigated by police.
The Escondido Police Department (EPD) said Friday that investigators were reviewing the much-talked-about case, which has fired up fellow students and parents.
On Jan. 27, a detection dog alerted officials at San Pasqual High School in Escondido to two the cars of two students parked on school grounds – vehicles driven by 16-year-old Sam Serrato and 18-year-old Brandon Cappelletti.
According to EPD Lt. Ed Varso, an Escondido Police School Resource Officer (SRO) was called to the lot, and the students were also summoned to their cars.
School officials then began searching the students’ vehicles. Inside Serrato’s car, school officials found one knife. In Cappelletti’s car, three knives were discovered.
The students’ mothers were called to the school. With the mothers present, the SRO interviewed both students.
The EPD said Serrato told the SRO that he, with his parents’ knowledge, had purchased the knife – which had a 3.5-inch locking blade – about 10 days prior for his own personal protection. The juvenile told the officer he had been leaving the knife inside his car parked on school grounds every day since he bought it, the EPD said.
Meanwhile, during Cappelletti’s interview, he told the officer the knives were left in his car following a weekend fishing trip with his family.
Ultimately, the SRO found that both students were in violation of a misdemeanor crime by bringing the knives onto school property.
Due to his age, Serrato’s case was recommended for San Diego's Juvenile Diversion program, which addresses crimes by minors without the case being heard through the formal juvenile court process.
However Cappelletti, being 18, is considered an adult and was not deemed eligible for the diversion program. He was issued a misdemeanor citation and released at the school to his mother.
Both students were suspended from school over the incident. Now, they also face expulsion.
The EPD said the investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, the case has gained much attention in the North County.
Earlier this week, hundreds of community members rallied behind Serrato at a school board meeting, asking for his suspension to be lifted.
According to the teen’s family, the entire ordeal is one big misunderstanding.
Serrato’s family said the knife found inside the high school junior’s car belongs to his father, who had purchased it at a swap meet. The father said he and his son had forgotten about it.
The teen’s family and supporters said Serrato is an honor roll student and active athlete, and has never before gotten into trouble at school.
At the Escondido Union High School District (EUHSD) board meeting, his mother, Yvonne Serrato, said her son’s punishment isn’t fair. Tearfully, she said the ordeal has changed her son in just a matter of weeks.
Cappelletti’s family also attended the board meeting and stood behind the student’s statement that the knives were used for a fishing trip.
Legally, board members said they’re required to follow due process, so nothing can be done at this point. Board members also said they do not have all of the information yet on the students’ cases.
A spokesperson for the EUHSD issued this statement Wednesday in relation to the cases: "EUHSD staff will be working directly with the families and other parties involved to help ensure the two current cases involving San Pasqual High School students are handled according to the framework established by the California legislature."
Due to high interest in Serrato’s case, his expulsion hearing was moved up to Friday from its original Feb. 25 date. Cappelletti's hearing was also set for Friday.
NBC 7 was at the hearing and, when it was over, Serrato came out feeling optimistic.
"We told our story, they heard us out," Serrato told reporters. "I'm pretty thankful for them listening and I think it went pretty well."
The EUHSD has three school days to make a decision on the student's case. Due to President's Day, school is not in session Monday or Tuesday.
The school board has a meeting Tuesday night. At that meeting, the board could recommend Serrato not be expelled. If that recommendation is approved, Serrato could be back in school by as early as Wednesday.
Serrato said the stressful process has taught him some tough life lessons.
"It's taught me how to deal with certain things in life, so hopefully this is a learning process," the teen said, his father's comforting hand resting on his shoulder. "How to just deal with life; how life isn't always fair."
"Hopefully, it's over soon," Serrato added.
Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego