Sentencing Delayed For Would-Be Freedom Bomber

The would-be Freedom High bomber will not hear his sentence until December, following an appearance in court on October 16.

Jared Cano, 18, was supposed to be sentenced when he appeared before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Kimberly Fernandez on October 16. However, after pleading “no contest” to charges of threatening and attempting to discharge an explosive device at Freedom in August 2011, Cano’s sentencing has been delayed until December 5 and he could face up to 15 years in prison.

“He would have been sentenced (October 16), but the court had ordered a pre-disposition (pre-trial) report, and it wasn’t ready yet,” said Cano’s attorney, Norman Cannella, Sr.

As previously reported in the New Tampa Neighborhood News, Cano is accused of attempting to set off a bomb at Freedom on the first day of the 2011-12 year, but, due to an anonymous tip from one of Cano’s friends, the Tampa Police Department (TPD) was able to foil the plot. Cano was 17 when he was arrested, but he is being tried as an adult.

When TPD raided the apartment, Cano was living at with his mother in the complex formerly known as Cypress Run at Tampa Palms, they discovered bomb-making materials and a marijuana plant. In addition to the bomb charges, Cano also faces three drug-related charges, for which he has waived his right to appeal and could face up to seven years.