Teacher pleads guilty to having gun on school grounds By John Marcario 07/28/2005 Tim Fudd, a former Westfield High School teacher, pleaded guilty in Fairfax County's General District Court Monday to possession of a concealed weapon. Fudd, a resource teacher at the time, was arrested April 26 after a loaded handgun was found in his locked car on school property. He was initially charged with two felonies but pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Based on the plea agreement between Fudd and county prosecutors, Judge Mitchell Mutnick sentenced Fudd to a 12-month suspended sentence and one year of probation. He must also forfeit his weapon and hand in his conceal and carry permit, according to Mutnick, who handed down the verdict. The incident began when school officials received an anonymous tip that Fudd had a gun in his car. Fairfax County Police obtained a warrant to search the car. The 31-year-old former Chantilly High School basketball star turned himself in to police the following day and was released without having to post bond. “It is what it is. It was a mistake, and I am glad it's over,” Fudd said after his trial. Virginia law at the time of Fudd's arrest made having a loaded handgun in a car on school property illegal. On July 1, it became legal in Virginia for someone with a concealed handgun permit to have a loaded gun on school property, so long as it is away from public view. Mark Schamel, Fudd's attorney, was angry with the verdict and the prosecution. “I have never seen a law pending to be changed and then changed and still have the state go forward with the case,” he said. Fudd could have faced a maximum of five years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, he will serve no time unless he violates his probation. “We need these types of men teaching in our county,” Schamel said after the trial. Fudd was hired full time at Westfield in October 2004 after being a substitute teacher since 2003. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave after his arrest, but his teaching contract has since expired. The original contract lasted for 10 months, and Fudd is now no longer employed by the county, said Paul Regnier, community relations coordinator for the school system. In 1991 Fudd led Chantilly High School to the district basketball championship. Fudd went on to play for American University where he finished his career as the schools' 12th all-time scorer. He later had a four-year stint overseas playing professionally. http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm? newsid=14938898&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511686&rfi=6 Back To Guvment Skool Page 7 COPYRIGHT "DUHMAG.COM" 2005