ORANGE : Shop Teacher Arraigned on Theft Charges

A longtime shop teacher at Orange High School was arraigned Tuesday on six counts of felony grand theft in connection with selling four vehicles given to the school for auto mechanics classes and keeping a donated 1966 Ford Mustang for himself.

Russell Schnepp pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His trial date will be set Jan. 27 in Superior Court in Santa Ana, Deputy Dist. Atty. Tom Glazier said.

Schnepp is charged with keeping the Mustang and selling a 1959 Ford pickup, a 1978 Mercury, a 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass and a 1964 Chevrolet motor home to students and other acquaintances, Orange Police Detective Cordell Nash said. All of the vehicles were donated to Orange High School for student use. The vehicles were sold for from $200 to $2,700, Nash said.

He also is charged with stealing various tools and shop class equipment belonging to the school district, Glazier said.

Nash said it took about a year for police to complete the investigation because of difficulties in trying to find the former owners of the vehicles.

Schnepp is still teaching at the school and no disciplinary action will be taken unless he is found guilty, Orange school Supt. Robert L. French said.

“This charge does not require a mandatory removal from the classroom,” French said. “If any disciplinary action is taken, it will be after there is an outcome in court.”