The father of a 14-year-old boy who brought his dad’s gun to a Chula Vista high school pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of two firearms by a felon, felony child endangerment, and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
The sentencing of Zachariah Joseph Dow, 36, has been set for Sept. 3 before Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Garry Haehnle, said Deputy District Attorney Kristina Hein on Aug. 1.
Dow remains free on $100,000 bond. Hein said Dow could get a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and there is no plea agreement with her office. He pleaded guilty to all four counts against him on July 22.
On May 21, his son showed up at Hilltop High School with his father’s gun. Several students reported that he had it and told someone. Chula Vista Police responded and arrested the student without incident.
The boy apparently did not threaten anyone with the gun and it was found in his backpack while he was in a classroom. Nevertheless, he was charged in Juvenile Court, though his case status could not be determined as most proceedings are confidential.
No one was injured. The father has a felony conviction which meant that he could not lawfully possess firearms or ammunition. Court listings say he was charged with a felony case in 2001.
