Prep Football / Around The Nation -- Court Punishes Father, Son For Sharpened Helmet Buckle

ALBUQUERQUE - A dentist and his son were sentenced to community service and probation for their roles in a helmet buckle-sharpening incident that left five high-school football players with cuts.

The father also received a two-day jail sentence.

Mike Cito, a center on the St. Pius X High School football team, admitted to Children's Court Judge Michael Martinez that he wore the buckle that caused the injuries to Albuquerque Academy players Oct. 12.

"I wore a helmet with a buckle that had been altered," the 17-year-old said. "It was sharpened."

Asked why, the teen told the judge: "It was sharpened to protect me from harm."

By whom, the judge asked.

"My father," the boy replied.

Martinez sentenced the boy to one year's supervised probation, 100 hours' community service and an 8 p.m. curfew.

Cito's father, Stephen Cito, a children's dentist, was given a 48-hour jail term and was ordered to perform 400 hours' community service and to serve one year's unsupervised probation.

Both father and son were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. Prosecutors said the normal sentence for that charge would be 18 months.

Mike Cito also has been expelled from school and banned from competition until next Oct. 12.

The opposing player most seriously injured, Joe Paquette, required 10 stitches for a cut on his forearm.