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Choffin student arrested for tantrum
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
DeAunt’e Blackmon-Tensley still has a lot of growing up to do, a judge told him Monday after he was found guilty of charges related to a tantrum he threw Friday at the Choffin Career and Technical Center after he was told he could not participate in graduation ceremonies because he was suspended.
“How ridiculous for you to act this way,” Judge Elizabeth Kobly told the 19-year-old Blackmon-Tensley at his arraignment in Youngstown Municipal Court, where he pleaded no contest and was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and criminal damaging.
“I mean, I could understand you being upset, but geez,” the judge told him via video, where Blackmon-Tensley was being arraigned from the Mahoning County jail.
Reports said Blackmon-Tensley, of Arlington Street, was upset because he was suspended. Because of the suspension, he cannot participate in graduation ceremonies. He was arrested about 1:45 p.m. Friday after tossing several tables and chairs and breaking a table in the commons area of the school where he had his tantrum.
Blackmon-Tensley told the judge he knew he was wrong, but he was upset he would not be participating in graduation ceremonies.
“It was out of anger,” Blackmon-Tensley told the judge. “I wasn’t thinking.”
A city police officer and deputy for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office who were working security were called to the school’s commons area after Blackmon-Tensley was flipping over tables and throwing chairs and swearing at staff, reports said.
Reports said the deputy tried to grab his arm, and the student threatened to hit him. The deputy tried to handcuff the student, but Blackmon-Tensley would not calm down until he was tackled by the police officer, reports said.
Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Moliterno said it was the first time Blackmon-Tensley has been in trouble.
Judge Kobly found Blackmon-Tensley guilty and sentenced him to 80 hours of community service and one year’s probation. She also fined him $100 on each charge and told him if he cannot pay the fines he can perform community service to pay them off. He also was given credit for the time he served in jail awaiting his arraignment.
Judge Kobly also warned Blackmon-Tensley to make sure he reports to the probation office today and to stay out of trouble while he is on probation. She said if he violates any one of those two guidelines, he will be arrested and serve the entire 10-month sentence the charges carry.