SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – More details are coming out about what led to a judge’s decision to release a Springfield High School security guard accused of gun trafficking on what some consider a low bail amount.
Pablo Correa, 44, is currently on paid administrative leave as a security guard at Springfield’s Science and Technology High School after being indicted on more than a dozen firearms-related charges. But what many local officials find frustrating is the fact that he’s out on bail. The prosecution had asked for $50,000, while the defense had asked for around $2,500. The judge agreed with their request for $10,000.
According to court documents obtained by Western Mass News, Judge Robert Santaninello considered Correa’s financial resources, the nature and circumstances of the crimes charged, the punishment he could face, the defendant’s employment record, his reputation in the community and the risk of contracting COVID-19.
While some judges have met those requirements, others have not, to the irritation of Hampden County Sheriff Nick Koch, a vocal supporter of bail reform.
“They took him in at 7 p.m. and he was out the next day, July 3, at 7 a.m. He spent 12 hours here,” Koch said. “The investigation took about a month. It’s not like, ‘Did we get the right guy?’ We caught him, we got his gun and he’s back in the community. Something has to change.”
Tonight at 6pm on ABC40, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno will talk about his push for bail reform that would give prosecutors more powers and how the Bay State compares to other New England states when it comes to bail.
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