Teacher pleads guilty to bringing weapon to school, may avoid jail time

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach County teacher charged with having a weapon on campus at Royal Palm Beach Community High has agreed to a plea deal.

Robert Krasnicki, 43, who was found with a gun and knife on campus in January, will enter into a pre-trial intervention program.

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As part of the program, Krasnicki must spend one year in the program supervised by the Department of Corrections, will have to notify his employers of the program, be subject to a mental health evaluation with treatment, 40 hours of community service (10 hours per month for four months) and be subjected to a firearms safety course. He also cannot have a firearm or weapon or use intoxicants in excess.

If Krasnicki complies with the terms of the program, the state may terminate the program and the charge against him will be dropped. If he violates the terms, he would return to court to face prosecution.

Krasnicki was charged with possession of a weapon on school property, a third-degree felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison.

Under the plea deal, Krasnicki agreed to enter a one-year pre-trial intervention program, supervised by the Florida Department of Corrections. He must tell his employer that he is in the program. He will be subject to a mental health evaluation and treatment, must do 40 hours of community service, take a firearms safety course, he cannot violate the law, he cannot own a firearm or weapon, and he cannot use intoxicants to excess.

If Krasnicki successfully completes the program, the criminal charge will be dropped.

"I think he should actually go to jail for it, 'cause bringing a firearm into campus is very dangerous for whatever reason and I just felt like it wasn't safe to other students," said Maykel Martinez, 18, a Royal Palm Beach High School junior.

"Losing his job, I think that was enough. He needs to get some counseling for sure 'cause from what I've known or heard he's had a history of things. He just needs that help I guess," said Chris Felix, a Royal Palm Beach High School parent.

"Do you think this was a fair resolution to this thing or not?" we asked Sanjeev Bissessar, a Royal Palm Beach High School parent.

"Absolutely not. No. These are kids. We've had enough violence with kids all over the country. I mean what does it say if he just has to go through this program and then they expunge his record? That means he could go to another school somewhere else in another district, and you never know," said Bissessar.

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The Palm Beach County School District says Krasnicki resigned after his arrest in January.

We asked the School District for a comment on the plea agreement and they have not responded.

CBS12 News also reached out to the Florida Dept. of Education in Tallahassee to ask if Krasnicki still has a valid teaching certificate and we're waiting on a response.

The Palm Beach County School District says Krasnicki resigned after his arrest in January.