SPRINGFIELD – A security guard at the High School of Science and Technology was arrested after police found several weapons in his possession, including several high-capacity firearms and two with obscured serial numbers.
Pablo Correa, 44, of Springfield, was arrested July 2 on 14 weapons charges, five of which are felonies, said James Leydon, spokesman for Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.
He was identified as a local arms dealer in the region and was the target of months-long investigations, Gulluni said in writing.
Correa faces six counts of unlawful carrying of a firearm, five counts of possession of a large capacity firearm or feeding device, two counts of obscuring a serial number on a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, court documents say.
Correa was arraigned in Springfield District Court on Wednesday. During the hearing, Judge Robert T. Santaniello set bail at $10,000 – $40,000 less than the amount requested by prosecutors. He was released the same day.
“One of the reasons why the judge set a lower bail than what the prosecution requested is the employment history of the defendant, who is currently working as a security guard at the High School of Science and Technology,” Gulluni said in the statement.
Correa posted bail and was released from the Hampden County House of Correction on the same day as his arraignment, the statement said.
The public prosecutor’s office has informed the school authorities about the arrest.
“He was at work when we learned of the arrest Monday morning,” said Azell Cavaan, communications director for Springfield Schools.
Correa was immediately placed on paid leave pending the investigation into his arrest. He has worked at Springfield Public Schools since October 2021 and has always served as a security officer there, she said.
“It is both disheartening and frustrating when defendants charged with serious weapons offenses are repeatedly sent back into the community. But in this case, to understand that the judge justified this man’s release by sending him back to his job as a high school security guard is unbelievable,” Gulluni said.
“We will not make progress in combating gun violence unless we hold accountable those who supply guns to those who seek to commit acts of violence on our streets,” he said.
The case was investigated by the District Attorney’s SAFE Unit.
The starting wage for school security guards is $15 an hour, Cavaan said.
“I am alarmed and disappointed to hear of this,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who is also chairman of the school board. “They are there to protect, not to harm. The right measures were taken.”
On March 11, a shooting occurred at the school when three men forced their way into the school after a staff member opened a locked door and ordered them to leave. Police, security guards and staff were praised for their professionalism in dealing with the violence.
Shooting took place at the school, but no one was hit. A student who was the target of the violence was hit with a pistol and suffered a cut to the face. At least three people have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
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