Published: November 11, 2009 07:54 am      

Students face felony charges in drug arrests

CLINTON — Two students are being charged with felonies following seven drug-related arrests made at Clinton High School late last month.

Nicholas J. Demarr and Keanu J. A. Harbron, both 14 and of Clinton, each face a Class C felony charge of possession with intent to deliver Oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer. Both boys also are facing simple misdemeanor charges for allegedly stealing the 25 pills, commonly known as OxyContin, from a high school instructor Oct. 26.

The two were arrested that day. The instructor’s report also led to the arrest of a 15-year-old Clinton male student. He is being charged with possession of marijuana, a serious misdemeanor.

Another student, a 16-year-old Clinton female, was arrested Oct. 29 at the high school on a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana and a simple misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three more students were arrested later that same day on charges related to prescription drugs. A 15-year-old Clinton female student was charged with prohibited acts, a serious misdemeanor charge, after allegedly distributing prescription medication to other students.

Another 15-year-old female student from Clinton was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs, a serious misdemeanor. She also was charged with a simple misdemeanor of fifth-degree theft for allegedly stealing prescription medication.

The third student, a 16-year-old Clinton female, was arrested and charged with two serious misdemeanor counts of unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

According to police reports, the prescription drugs involved in the arrests were Trazodone and Ranitidine. Trazodone, commonly known as Desyrel, is an antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Ranitidine is commonly known as Zantac, and is used to treat acid reflux disease, or heartburn.

The Clinton School District Board of Education will hold a closed-session student discipline hearing Thursday at the high school. Superintendent Richard Basden would not confirm if the meeting is connected to the drug arrests, and would not say how many students are facing suspension or expulsion as a result of the incidents.

In regard to police reports, the Clinton Herald does not name juveniles younger than 18, unless they face felony charges.