http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-lakepark17.html
Feds charge teen with igniting bomb in school
February 17, 2005
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter Advertisement
A few weeks ago, an 18-year-old suburban high school senior came to his parents sobbing, saying he was struggling with grades and wanted to drop out. His parents insisted he stay in school.
Wednesday morning, Gianluca DeMarco of Itasca decided he would get himself expelled from Lake Park High School's west campus in Roselle by setting off a homemade bomb in his locker, his father said.
"Today, he had the bright idea -- the stupid idea -- to bring some gas, put [it] in a bottle and start a fire in his locker. And there's the story," Jarry DeMarco said. "He knew he was going to get expelled from school by doing that. He [thought] the school was going to kick him out, and he was going to be a happy kid."
But hours later, Gianluca DeMarco was crying again. This time, he was standing before a federal judge, raising and lowering his shoulders with deep sighs. He was charged with possessing a destructive device and damaging a building with an explosive device.
Family signs over equity deed
His mother, Nancy, was crying, too. She and her husband agreed to sign a $100,000 home-equity deed over to the feds so their son could come home. The family operates DeMarco's Ristorante in Itasca.
The teen was ordered confined to his home under electronic surveillance and has to stay one mile away from his school.
"The fact that we're standing here in the federal building is an indication we're not taking this as a prank," Roselle Police Chief Thomas Roman said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Beaumont said DeMarco faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The feds searched the family's home and the teen's car Wednesday.
'He's sorry now'
The blast went off just after 7:30 a.m., causing a small fire that was quickly put out. No one was injured. The school was evacuated, and students were sent home for the day.
Officials said DeMarco filled three bottles with gasoline and wrapped them in newspaper. He dropped off his backpack with two bottles by a garbage can in the school and put a third in his locker. He lit the paper, then headed toward the backpack, said Thomas Ahern, special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
When the bottle exploded, causing a loud boom, kids streamed outside, and DeMarco left the building too. Video cameras caught him near the locker, and minutes later he was in custody, Ahern said.
The teen's parents, who hired high-profile defense attorney Ed Genson, said their son is a good kid who didn't want to hurt anyone.
"[He] never realized the seriousness of the problem that he could have burned a building and people could get hurt," Jarry DeMarco said. "He's sorry now, and he's got to pay the consequences."
Feds charge teen with igniting bomb in school
February 17, 2005
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter Advertisement
A few weeks ago, an 18-year-old suburban high school senior came to his parents sobbing, saying he was struggling with grades and wanted to drop out. His parents insisted he stay in school.
Wednesday morning, Gianluca DeMarco of Itasca decided he would get himself expelled from Lake Park High School's west campus in Roselle by setting off a homemade bomb in his locker, his father said.
"Today, he had the bright idea -- the stupid idea -- to bring some gas, put [it] in a bottle and start a fire in his locker. And there's the story," Jarry DeMarco said. "He knew he was going to get expelled from school by doing that. He [thought] the school was going to kick him out, and he was going to be a happy kid."
But hours later, Gianluca DeMarco was crying again. This time, he was standing before a federal judge, raising and lowering his shoulders with deep sighs. He was charged with possessing a destructive device and damaging a building with an explosive device.
Family signs over equity deed
His mother, Nancy, was crying, too. She and her husband agreed to sign a $100,000 home-equity deed over to the feds so their son could come home. The family operates DeMarco's Ristorante in Itasca.
The teen was ordered confined to his home under electronic surveillance and has to stay one mile away from his school.
"The fact that we're standing here in the federal building is an indication we're not taking this as a prank," Roselle Police Chief Thomas Roman said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Beaumont said DeMarco faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The feds searched the family's home and the teen's car Wednesday.
'He's sorry now'
The blast went off just after 7:30 a.m., causing a small fire that was quickly put out. No one was injured. The school was evacuated, and students were sent home for the day.
Officials said DeMarco filled three bottles with gasoline and wrapped them in newspaper. He dropped off his backpack with two bottles by a garbage can in the school and put a third in his locker. He lit the paper, then headed toward the backpack, said Thomas Ahern, special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
When the bottle exploded, causing a loud boom, kids streamed outside, and DeMarco left the building too. Video cameras caught him near the locker, and minutes later he was in custody, Ahern said.
The teen's parents, who hired high-profile defense attorney Ed Genson, said their son is a good kid who didn't want to hurt anyone.
"[He] never realized the seriousness of the problem that he could have burned a building and people could get hurt," Jarry DeMarco said. "He's sorry now, and he's got to pay the consequences."
same thing right?
