Father, Son Are Sentenced for Sharp Helmet Buckle

A children’s dentist and his son were sentenced to community service and probation Monday 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 for Albuquerque’s St. Pius X High, 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 Cito 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.

He acknowledged under questioning from District Attorney Robert Schwartz that he knew the buckle would cause injury, although he said, “I did not know it would cause serious injury.”

He was sentenced to one year’s supervised probation, 100 hours’ community service and an 8 p.m. curfew. If he breaks any condition of the probation, Cito could be sent to the New Mexico Boys’ School at Springer for two years.

The hearing followed the sentencing of Cito’s father, Stephen Cito, who was given a 48-hour jail term by state District Judge James Blackmer and was ordered to perform 400 hours’ community service and to serve one year’s unsupervised probation.

Both the 48-year-old father and his son were charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, a charge that normally carries a sentence of 18 months.

Mike Cito has been expelled from school and banned from competition until Oct. 12, 1997.