A teenager in Virginia will spend five years in jail for bringing a loaded gun to his high school earlier this year.
Anthony Orion Dalton, who is 17 years old, got a nine-year prison sentence on October 8. However, four years of that sentence were suspended. This happened after he was caught with a gun at Franklin County High School in April, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Dalton will stay at the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center until he turns 18. After that, he will be moved to an adult jail to finish his sentence.
On April 1, Dalton shared a photo on Snapchat showing the gun he had brought to school.
After seeing the picture, a school resource officer told a deputy and an administrator. They found the loaded gun in Dalton’s bag.
Dalton was charged as an adult and found guilty of having a gun as a convicted felon, having a gun on school property, and transporting a gun as someone under 18.
Sheriff Bill Overton said that this sentence shows how serious it is to bring weapons to schools. He also said that school resource deputies are important for keeping schools safe, and their quick response, along with help from school staff, made a big difference.
Officials said that this case should remind everyone how serious it is to bring a gun to school and the big consequences that can happen. The sheriff’s office is asking parents to talk to their kids about gun safety and is reminding everyone to report anything suspicious.
