History of Marriott-Slaterville City Volume XVI January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015

THURSDAY 10.22.2015 75c School plot could lead to charges for 3 teens Utah laws allow for only misdemeanors in this type of case By LORETTA PARK Standard-Examiner staff MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE — Three 15-year-old boys suspected of planning a drive-by shooting at a charter school this week may face only misdemeanor charges. Law enforcement officers and state legislators said Wednesday they hope to upgrade possible penalties in such cases during the next general legislative session in 2016, perhaps to the felony level. Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Lane Findlay said under current law, the most serious charge the three might face would be misdemeanors such as possessing a weapon in a See CHARGES, Page 8A Charges From 1A Standard Examiner es restricted area or illegal possession of a weapon by a minor. The three boys are suspected of plotting a drive- by shooting at Venture Academy, 495 N. 1500 West, on Monday. School administrators were alerted to the alleged scheme by another student. The' three boys were detained by school officials until sheriff's officers arrived to investigate. All three have been suspended from school. Findlay is also concerned that none of the charter schools in Weber County's jurisdiction contract with the sheriff's office for security. There are no school resource officers at Venture Academy, where the three 15-year- olds attended, he said. Findlay said charter schools often start out with just elementary-leve' grades but as students get older, the school adds the junior high and high school levels. "They turn into big schools with big-school problems," Findlay said. Weber School District has a contract with the sheriff's office and has school resource officers available at all of its schools, he said. The charter schools, though, depend on patrol officers. "We've fostered a good relationship with the schools," Findlay said, but more can be done when there is an officer at the school on a daily basis. Calls to Venture Academy for a response were not immediately returned. In December 2014, Fremont High School went into lockdown after a girl reported to the school resource officer she had seen a handgun in the waistband of a male student. The officer and administrators were able to locate the male student and the gun. But that student too was charged only with a misdemeanor in juvenile court because "he did not actually point the gun at anyone," Findlay said. "The current law ties prosecutors' hands on what they can charge and this is a crime that affected a lot of people," Findlay said. Findlay said he would like to see an enhancement added to the current law so if a student or another person brings a weapon to school with intent to harm others, he or she could be charged with a felony and face serious consequences. Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, said he would not be surprised to see such a bill brought to legislators. "I think there will be legislation to tie up some of those loopholes in the current law," Stevenson said. Findlay said the Venture Academy case is under investigation. "We have a lot of unanswered questions, like where is the gun, what was the time frame," Findlay said. The parent of the main suspect in the case invoked the boy's Miranda rights and requested an attorney, so officers have not been able to talk to him, Findlay said. Once the investigation is over the Weber County Attorney's Office will review it before filing any charges in 2nd District Juvenile Court. You can reach reporter Loretta Park at lpark@standard.net or at 801)625-4252. Fallow her on 'Twitter at @lpret- taPajkSE or likeher on Faceopok. "