Student Accused In Alleged Fontana Hazing Case Breaks Down In Court
FONTANA (CBS) — A Fontana high school student broke down in court Thursday during an arraignment hearing, in connection with an alleged school hazing incident.
Fernando Salgado, 18, pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted sexual penetration with a foreign object and false imprisonment.
When the judge ordered him to remain in jail, Salgado screamed and started crying.
"I want to go home so bad," Salgado yelled.
When deputies went to escort the handcuffed teenager from the room, he began to struggle.
"Let go of me," he said.
Salgado and Emmanuel De La Rosa, a Career Technical Education teacher at A.B. Miller High School, were arrested along with three underage students Saturday amid allegations of a hazing incident during a summer school class taught by De La Rosa.
Police said three students at AB Miller High School have come forward alleging they were hazed by four classmates. The victims said De La Rosa, 27, knew of the incidents and in at least one instance, directed the suspects to assault them in response to a behavioral problem.
"The teacher was either familiar with what was going on or maybe could have actually directed the students on how to do that hazing," Sgt. Robert Morris of the Fontana Police Department said.
Specific details surrounding the incident, which police say occurred inside one of the classrooms in the last three weeks of summer school, have not been released.
"There were physical assaults made. I can't tell you about the nature of those assaults because the investigation is ongoing," said Sgt. Robert Morris of the Fontana Police Department.
Reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, Rachel Kim said if Salgado is found guilty, he could face 7 years behind bars.
According to family and friends, Salgado told them what he did was "simple and harmless rough housing."
Police are investigating if there are more possible victims. Meanwhile, a judge upped Salgado's bail from $100,000 to $300,000.
Salgado family friend Michael Acosta said, "This is so depressing. This has been a nightmare. It's a nightmare."
That was seconded by Magdalena Acosta. "He's not that person. He may be 18 years old, but he's still a baby," she said, "We love you. We're here for you. We want you home, baby."
A Salgado friend, Bryan De La Torre said his pal was not the type to do anything wrong. "I don't think that that was necessary. We just want him home. I don't know what the others are saying, but that's not Fernando."
