FOLSOM — A Folsom man already facing multiple local charges stemming from school-related arrests was taken into federal custody Wednesday afternoon — his third arrest in less than a month — as authorities continue to coordinate their response to a series of incidents that have alarmed the community.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Sacramento Field Office, working with the Folsom Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, arrested Curt Taras, a retired Air Force civil engineer and former youth soccer coach, on a federal charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the joint operation and said it intends to seek that Taras be denied bail at his next court appearance.
According to the DA’s Office, the arrest came after coordination among the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Folsom Police. “Protecting victims and ensuring the safety of our community are of paramount importance to our office,” the DA said in a statement. “At the defendant’s next court hearing, our office will once again request that the defendant be denied bail and stay away from all school locations within the district.”
Taras was first arrested by Folsom Police on Sept. 24 after allegedly refusing to leave the Folsom High School campus, making threats, and being found in possession of a firearm, a high-capacity magazine, and a knife. Police reported that he was armed with a knife during that initial encounter before being taken into custody. He was later released on bail.
On Oct. 13, Taras was arrested again after being seen on the grounds of Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School, in violation of a restraining order unrelated to the earlier school incident. Police confirmed he was not armed at the time. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge of violating a court order and released on bond later that day.
Folsom Cordova Unified School District officials said Taras was previously banned from being on any district campus following his September arrest at Folsom High. The district has since increased coordination with law enforcement and tightened visitor procedures.
The DA’s Office said the restraining order Taras violated stemmed from a domestic-violence case reportedly filed by his wife, which required him to surrender all firearms and ammunition. Court records show Taras was reportedly arrested in 2024 on domestic-violence charges, including corporal injury.
After his second arrest in October, community concern and frustration grew over his release on bond for a second time. Many parents expressed outrage that Taras had been able to return to the community despite repeated encounters with police near schools.
The federal firearm charge announced Wednesday marks a new phase in the case, expanding it to the federal level. Authorities said the investigation remains active, with coordination continuing among the FBI, Folsom Police, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
Early Wednesday morning, before his arrest by federal authorities, Taras sent a written statement to Folsom Times and other media outlets addressing his previous arrests and what he described as misunderstandings tied to his medical condition. “I had a misunderstanding in response to the vandalism at Folsom High School which was a trauma response,” he wrote, adding that he suffers from a traumatic brain injury and did not intend to cause harm. “I did not make threats or present any danger. I am a peaceful person and was a coach and scout leader to many students.”
Taras also stated that he is receiving veterans’ health care and complying with instructions to stay away from schools, describing himself as “known as Safety Engineer Curt” and adding that his actions were “misunderstood because times are tense today.”
Law enforcement officials reiterated that the safety of students, staff, and the community remains their top priority. “We are working together as partners to ensure Folsom schools remain safe and secure,” the Folsom Police Department and Folsom Cordova Unified School District said in a joint statement earlier this week.
Taras is currently behind housed in Sacramento County Jail on Federal No Bail Hold. He is scheduled to appear in Sacramento County court on Oct. 17. It is unclear how his federal arrest will affect his county court dates. The Sacramento County District Attorney plans to request he be denied bond.
“Protecting victims and ensuring the safety of our community are of paramount importance to our office at the defendant’s next court hearing, our office will once again request that the defendant be denied bail and stay away from all school locations within the district,” the DA’s office said in a statement received by Folsom Times late Wednesday afternoon.
Timeline: From initial campus threats to federal custody
The following chronology outlines the series of events that led to the federal arrest of Curt Taras, tracing a month-long sequence of school-related incidents, arrests, and court actions that prompted a coordinated local and federal response.
Sept. 24 – First arrest at Folsom High School
The series began on the morning of Sept. 24 when Folsom Police were called to Folsom High School after campus staff and athletic coaches reported a man refusing to leave school grounds and making alarming statements. Officers said Curt Taras, 53, was armed with a knife and allegedly made threatening remarks, including references to “sniper points,” which prompted an immediate lockdown response from staff.Police later located Taras off campus and took him into custody without further incident. A search of his vehicle uncovered a firearm, a high-capacity magazine, and another knife. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of making criminal threats and possession of a firearm on school grounds, then released on bail the next day.
Late September – Court orders and prior history
Following the arrest, investigators learned Taras was subject to a domestic-violence temporary restraining order reportedly filed by his wife. The order required him to surrender all firearms and ammunition. Court records indicate Taras was reportedly arrested in 2024 on domestic-violence charges, including corporal injury. These details heightened concern among parents once they became public.In the days following the arrest – District safety efforts
In the days following the first incident, Folsom Cordova Unified School District officials worked closely with police to strengthen security. Additional patrols were assigned near campuses, School Resource Officers expanded their presence, and district safety personnel increased visibility. Surveillance systems and visitor check-in procedures were reviewed, and the district emphasized that Taras was permanently banned from all school properties.Oct. 13 – Second arrest at Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary
Despite the ban, Taras was spotted walking through the Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School campus around 2 p.m. on Columbus Day, a non-student day when staff were on site for meetings. Multiple officers responded, conducted a sweep of the grounds, and determined Taras had already left. He was later located at his home and arrested for violating a court order. Police confirmed he was not armed during the encounter.The misdemeanor violation was tied to the existing restraining order, not a new school threat, and Taras was released on bond later that evening. His second release within 30 days drew strong reactions from parents, who voiced frustration that he had been allowed to return to the community after multiple campus-related arrests.
Oct. 14 – Joint safety statement issued
The day after the second arrest, the Folsom Police Department and Folsom Cordova Unified School District released a joint statement addressing community anxiety and reaffirming their partnership. “The safety of students, staff, and families is our top priority,” the statement read. It outlined enhanced patrols, coordination with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, and ongoing monitoring of campuses with the help of surveillance and access-control systems.Oct. 15 – Taras issues statement to local media
Early Wednesday morning, Taras emailed a written statement to Folsom Times and other media outlets describing his previous arrests as a misunderstanding connected to a medical condition. In the letter, he said he suffers from a traumatic brain injury, denied making threats, and maintained he is a peaceful person who has long been active as a coach and volunteer in youth programs.Oct. 15 – Afternoon federal arrest
Later that same day, federal agents from the FBI Sacramento Field Office, working alongside Folsom Police, arrested Taras on a federal charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone. The federal case stems from the Sept. 24 incident at Folsom High School, where officers discovered the firearm and other weapons. He was taken into custody without incident and transferred to federal detention.Oct. 16 – Initial court appearance scheduled
Taras’s first appearance in U.S. District Court is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Prosecutors from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said they plan to request that Taras be denied bond and remain in custody pending trial, citing ongoing public-safety concerns.Ongoing investigation
Law enforcement officials at the local, county, and federal levels continue to coordinate their efforts. Police maintain an increased presence near schools, and district officials say they remain in close communication with investigators and families. Both agencies reiterated that community safety and transparency remain their highest priorities as the legal process advances.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
