Three Hendry Students In Custody In Gun Incident

On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at approximately 8:00am the Clewiston High School SRO received a
call from the Clewiston Middle School SRO that they had received a tip that either one of
Clewiston Middle School students, 15 year old Ricardo Marin or one of the Clewiston High
School students, 16 year old Jesus Marin, may be in possession of a stolen handgun that another
Hendry County student had taken from their parent and gave to one of the Marin brothers.

The Clewiston High School SRO immediately contacted the Assistant Principal and they located
Jesus Marin in a classroom. Both the SRO and the Assistant Principal escorted Jesus Marin from
the classroom toward the office. While walking to the School Office, the SRO observed an
object that appeared to move about in Marin’s pants pocket. It appeared as though it could be a
cell phone or a handgun; at that point the SRO stopped Marin and grabbed the item from Marin’s
pocket. He removed from Marin’s pants pocket a small Smith & Wesson .380 semi-automatic
handgun. The chamber was empty but it contained three (3) rounds of ammo in the magazine.
The SRO then placed Marin under arrest and took possession of the handgun. After placing
Jesus Marin under arrest, the SRO also found in his possession a Vape Pen that tested positive
for THC.

Hendry County Investigators arrived at Clewiston High School and began interviews. However,
aside from Jesus Marin being in possession of the firearm, Investigators and SROs were able to
obtain additional information.

It was determined that 13 year old Juan Vasquez, 8 th grade student at LaBelle Middle School had
taken his mother’s gun; it is unknown at this time why he took it but it is believed to be for the
purpose of cash. He then met with the Marin Brothers the next day and gave the gun to them to
sell. A snap chat video was made of the firearm offering it for sale and was found on a cell
phone.

After speaking with the mother about the theft of the firearm and circumstances following that,
the mother did press charges on all three suspects, to include her son.

All three students were taken into custody and transported to the Hendry County Jail in LaBelle;
they will then be held at the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Juan Vasquez 13 years of age, student, 8 th grade student LaBelle Middle School, was charged
with Armed Burglary, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Dealing in Stolen Property, Transferring the
Firearm to a Minor and Sale of Stolen Property via Internet. He is currently being held at the
Department of Juvenile Justice.

Jesus Marin, 16 years of age, student, 9 th grade, Clewiston High School, was charged with
Possession of a Firearm on School Property, Grand Theft of a Firearm, Dealing in Stolen
Property, Possession of Synthetic Narcotic within 1000’ of a School and Possession of Drug
Equipment on School Campus. He is currently being held at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Ricardo Marin, 15 years of age, student, 8 th grade, Clewiston Middle School, was charged with
Dealing in Stolen Property and Sale of Stolen Property via Internet. He is currently being held at
the Department of Juvenile Justice.