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Melbourne teen accepts plea deal for bringing gun to high school

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A Brevard County teenager could spend the next four years on probation for bringing a gun to his high school.

Arlen Dean, 15, didn't have much to say Thursday as he accepted a plea deal for bringing a gun to the Melbourne campus of Eau Gallie High School last month.

Neither did his dad.

"I'm just going to keep my mouth shut," said Arthur Dean, the defendant's father.

Arlen Dean hadn't been in trouble with the law until classmates saw a gun in his backpack and it was found by school officials. Arlen's father said his son got the weapon from another teenager, but it was only Arlen who faced 18th Judicial Court Circuit Judge Lisa Davidson Thursday.

"You made the decision to hold that gun. And once you made that decision, things went from there," Davidson said.

As a result, Arlen Dean will be on probation up to the age of 19, he must perform 100 hours of community service, and among other requirements he must write a letter of apology to Eau Gallie High School.

"I'd like to see you turn this around, you can turn it around," Davidson said.

If Arlen Dean completes all the conditions of his probation with no violations, his probation could end before his 19th birthday.

The judge also withheld adjudication, meaning Arlen Dean could also have his record expunged.