Six sentenced in attempts at arson at LV school, park

Had the six juveniles who in August lobbed homemade incendiaries at Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School and around a Summerlin area park succeeded in burning something down, they likely would have ended up incarcerated, Clark County Juvenile Court Judge William Voy said Monday.

“My understanding is that it basically didn’t really work, did it?” Voy asked of Travis Skochenko, the first defendant who appeared before him during two afternoon hearings.

“Yes sir,” Skochenko said while standing with his hands clasped.

“That’s good,” Voy said. “I’m sure the state wouldn’t have been in a position to offer these kinds of negotiations if you’d been successful, do you understand that?”

“Yes sir,” Skochenko said.

Each of the six young men, who were juniors at Palo Verde High School at the time of their arrests, was allowed by prosecutors to plead guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to commit arson. J.D. Buonantony, Robert Funk, Rashan Lawrence, Ryan Patterson, Marcus Shaw and Skochenko all received the same sentence, a maximum 12 months probation and 200 hours of community service.

The teenagers also will have to participate in counseling, complete the Youth Firesetter Intervention Program, make restitution and write letters of apology for their actions, Voy said.

If they successfully complete the terms of their plea agreement, then the felony count of conspiracy to commit arson will be reduced to a gross misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit malicious destruction of property, said prosecutor Michael O’Callaghan. The misdemeanor will remain part of their juvenile record and not follow them into adulthood.

Defense attorney Steve Stein, who represented Skochenko and Patterson, argued for a lesser sentence, telling Voy that negotiations with the prosecution had indicated that probation would be nine months with 100 hours of community service. Stein also said that Voy should take into consideration the fact that the defendants have basically been under house arrest since they were charged in November.

“That should count for something,” Stein said.

Five of the six defendants, excluding Funk, were Palo Verde football players. Stein argued that the teenagers would have difficulty completing 200 hours of community service at the same time they were attending high school, counseling and athletic practices.

Voy told Stein that the definition of community service is a broad one for juveniles, who can obtain credit for activities such as tutoring.

“Football?” Stein asked, inquiring if that met the definition of community service.

“No, that’s an honor,” O’Callaghan retorted before Voy could speak.

Both O’Callaghan and Voy emphasized to the teenagers that any violation of the terms of their probation could nullify the plea agreement. If they’re caught speeding, if they’re pulled over and found to be driving without a license, then they could end up facing the original felony charge and serving time for it at a Nevada youth facility.

Buonantony’s attorney, Joseph Sciscento, emphasized that his client had experienced substantial hardship in the time leading up to the arson incident. Both of his grandparents had died, a step-brother afflicted with cerebral palsy had moved away from home. He was under pressure with the media scrutiny of his father, Rich Buonantony, a former strip club manager for Michael Galardi, a key figure in the political corruption investigation into four former Clark County commissioners. Galardi admitted bribing politicians to protect his clubs in Las Vegas and San Diego.

“This is a kid who had a lot of suffering going on,” Sciscento said.

Conrad Claus, Funk’s attorney, told Voy that his client is committed to meeting the terms of the agreement. These aren’t abnormal kids, Claus said, adding that most people are lucky to get out of high school without getting into serious trouble.

Voy said the circumstances of each defendant were taken into consideration by prosecutors during negotiation of the agreement.

“Stupid acts at times have serious consequences,” Voy said.