This week's headlines

A 20-year-old Delta man who allegedly told Delta Opportunity School staff he would “take people out” if he had a gun was sentenced last week.

Anthony Gazzillo made the threats to staff members after he was asked to leave school property.

Staff called police because they felt their own lives were threatened, as well as those of others.

In county court last week, Gazzillo pleaded guilty to menacing, third degree assault (in an unrelated case) and a probation violation. His plea agreement calls for a six-month jail sentence with work release.

A counselor/teacher at Delta Opportunity School, where the incident took place, asked to address the court. She said she is named as a victim in the menacing case but doesn’t feel like a victim. “I shared with Anthony that he can be forgiven,” she said. “There is good in him and I want him to take this opportunity to seek treatment.”

The public defender explained Gazzillo prefers jail over in-patient treatment because he plans to join a family business and learn the plumbing trade.

Judge Sandra Miller advised Gazzillo it won’t do him any good to learn a trade if he doesn’t deal with his substance abuse issues. Gazzillo responded that he plans to pursue treatment voluntarily.

She granted the public defender’s request for a stay of execution and ordered Gazzillo to report to jail Feb. 20. A protection order that prohibits Gazzillo from both the Delta Opportunity School and Delta Middle School grounds will remain in effect until Gazzillo has completed his jail sentence.

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