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School resource officer makes arrest

EAST LIVERPOOL — A former student was arrested Thursday by the East Liverpool City School District’s school resource officer (SRO) after he was allegedly found inside one of the buildings.

Charged with criminal trespass was Joshua L. Conzett, 20, Minerva Street.

According to police, SRO Patrolman Robert Ramsey was notified about 10:54 a.m. that a former student was wandering around the high school, having been seen by students and staff members.

He was identified, and Ramsey was also advised Conzett had ridden a school bus from Bank Street to the school, came inside but never reported in at the office before beginning to wander around “aimlessly,” according to reports.

School officials and Ramsey searched the building but did not locate Conzett, after which Ramsey and Capt. Patrick Wright went to his home, where they spoke with him.

Conzett was transported to the police station to give a statement, in which he said he rode the bus to the school just to visit former teachers because he had the day off work.

In his statement, Conzett said he had awoken about 6:20 a.m. and decided to visit the high school teachers and said, “Despite better judgment, decided to catch the bus on Bank Street to get there without walking.”

He related how he visited three specific teachers before leaving the building about 9:30 a.m., walking home and lying down.

Asked by officers if he had any harmful intentions at the school, Conzett said he did not.

Superintendent Randy Taylor said Thursday the former student was able to ride the bus without being questioned because it has been the district’s policy for drivers to pick up students if they missed their own bus, and the driver happened to be a new one and thought Conzett was a student. He said Conzett has a youthful appearance.

When he reached the school, Conzett walked in undetected with other students, with Taylor saying, “Our doors are open for our students,” but said others must make their presence known to school personnel.

He said, “There was a time when that was OK (to visit former teachers). Now, it is not OK. We require everyone to check in at the office.”

Shortly after being arrested, Conzett appeared in East Liverpool Municipal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the criminal trespass charge.

A pretrial was scheduled Oct. 25 with recognizance bond of $2,500 set.

A public defender was appointed based on his financial disclosure form, which indicated he is employed.

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