A California father who opened fire on a group of teenagers after his home was targeted in a series of pranks now faces possible prison time as the case moves toward sentencing.
California Father Pleads No Contest in Teen Shooting Case
A 55-year-old California man could spend up to three years behind bars after firing a handgun at teenagers who had allegedly vandalized his home.
Craig Steven Miceli of San Mateo has pleaded no contest to felony charges of assault with a firearm and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Prosecutors say the incident happened after tensions built between Miceli and a group of local teenagers.
Prank Incidents Led to Escalating Conflict
According to investigators, the dispute began in May 2025 when a group of 16 and 17-year-old boys allegedly targeted Miceli’s home.
Authorities say the first incident happened on May 23, when the teenagers allegedly poured oil on Miceli’s front porch.
Prosecutors claim the teens targeted the home because they reportedly had issues with Miceli’s daughter.
Two days later, the same group allegedly returned and threw raw eggs at the house.
Father Allegedly Fired at Teens as They Drove Away
After the second prank, prosecutors say Miceli reacted by firing his handgun twice at the teenagers’ SUV as they drove away from the property.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
However, authorities say the use of a firearm turned what began as a prank into a serious criminal case.
Miceli Claimed Daughter Was Being Bullied
During the investigation, Miceli reportedly told police that his daughter had been dealing with bullying at school.
Prosecutors acknowledged that the father may have been frustrated by repeated incidents involving his family.
However, officials emphasized that frustration does not justify the use of gunfire.
Gun Thrown Into Lake, Additional Weapon Found
According to investigators, Miceli told police he intended to shoot the SUV’s tires rather than the teenagers.
He also reportedly admitted that he threw the handgun into nearby Waterdog Lake after the incident.
During a later search of his home, authorities allegedly recovered an illegal automatic rifle.
That discovery added more serious legal concerns to the case.
Sentencing Scheduled for August
Miceli remains in custody on a $25,000 cash bond.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10.
If the court imposes the maximum sentence, he could face up to three years in prison.
