Folsom Police, schools join forces to ensure safety while suspect talks to media

The ongoing saga of the man who allegedly made threats on the Folsom High School campus and re-emerged on an elementary school campus this week took another dramatic turn as Folsom Police announced that they, in collaboration with the FBI, took Curt Taras into custody on federal charges of possessing weapons near a school. Folsom city leaders have worked to ease intense concerns and fears within the community over Taras, who was arrested Sept. 24 for making threats on the Folsom High School campus. After serving two weeks in jail, Taras was released on bail and on Oct. 13 was spotted on the Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School campus with a teenager who Taras identified as his son. Taras was arrested again but released that evening. On Wednesday, Oct. 15, police, along with the FBI, arrested Taras on a federal charge of possession of a firearm in a school zone. In the 12 hours before this latest arrest, Taras made the media rounds, saying all these situations were a misunderstanding. In a phone call with The Folsom Telegraph, Taras said he believes the basketball coach he interacted with on the Folsom High campus on Sept. 24 misconstrued their conversation. "I believe I was arrested because of a misunderstanding related to my concerns about the high school, after the graffiti and the broken windows and broken doors at the two schools," said Taras. Taras, a US Air Force veteran and civil engineer who, according to his company website, has been involved with projects such as the Folsom Dam Auxiliary Spillway, said he was viewing the campus exit options from an engineer's perspective and became critical. "When I went to the school that night I was leaving yoga and I was wearing sandals and I walked to the campus and the coach saw me and said 'Hey, what do you need?' And I said, 'I'm just looking for the exit,' and he said, 'Well, it's way over there by the front entrance.' And I said, 'Well, what about over here in the corner?' And he said, 'It's all locked up,' " Taras said, claiming this is when he became critical of the lack of exits for students. "I said, 'Well, how do they get out?' And I asked what if they can't get out like if there's a fire or emergency. And he took it as I made a threat." Taras also explained that when he was at Sandra J. Gallardo on Oct. 13, he and his son were viewing the graffiti on campus; he claims he was not banned from being on that campus, just Folsom High School. "I will respect the whole school-wide stay away, but I didn't have any formal stay-away. No one came to talk to me in jail, nobody gave me a debrief," said Taras. "They just threw me out in a rainstorm and no follow-up. They just like to issue press releases without verifying everything." Folsom Police, school district partner to keep schools safe The Folsom Police Department and Folsom Cordova Unified School District are joining forces to ease anxiety in the community over Taras' repeat appearances on campuses. A joint statement from Folsom Police and the FCUSD said the safety of students, staff and families is their top priority and they're working together to ensure schools remain safe and secure. "Following the arrest of Curt Taras on 10/13/25, we have been working closely together to address this situation and safeguard our school community," reads the statement. "Mr. Taras was arrested on 9/24/25, near Folsom High school after making threatening statements. He was later found off campus and arrested. On 10/13/25, he was seen walking on the campus of Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary and Police responded, locating him at home. Officers determined he was in violation of a restraining order (unrelated to the school incident) and he was arrested." The joint statement also said they are working with prosecutors and being as proactive as they can to ensure safety on school campuses. "We are also working closely with the District Attorney's Office to ensure steps are taken to keep our schools safe. We understand information has been circulating, particularly online and this has caused anxiety with parents and students. "Together, we are using the following to ensure safety, specifically focused on the schools with recent incidents, Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary and Folsom High School, keeping in mind that safety at all schools is our shared commitment. * Additional police officers have been strategically deployed in addition to the School Resource Officers. * Increased District Safety Team visibility. * Direct, ongoing coordination between FCUSD leadership and the Folsom Police Department. * FCUSD uses surveillance systems, including cameras on campus with facial recognition technology, check-in protocols, and Comprehensive Safe School Plans. * Ongoing law enforcement investigative efforts. "Our collaboration extends to you, our community. If you see or hear anything concerning, please report it immediately. Use 911 for emergencies, and you can report issues and concerns about the school through the anonymous "We Tip" system. Your children's safety is why we work together every day. We will keep you informed." Following the Sept. 24 arrest, Taras was booked into Sacramento County Jail on charges of possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of a concealed firearm in his vehicle, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of a knife on a school campus and violation of a court order. Taras was initially scheduled for a court appearance Oct. 15 but due to the arrest by federal agents, his new court date was scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16, in U.S. District Court. During his call with The Folsom Telegraph, Taras said he just wanted to avoid incarceration again.