Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2001
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2001 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Heather Howard, Samantha Peterson

5 AT SCHOOL ARRESTED BY A DEPUTY POSING AS STUDENT

Principal Asks For Sting To Gauge Drug Traffic; Gun Discovered In Car

MONROE -- A sheriff's deputy posing as a high school student busted five 
Forest Hills High School students Wednesday on drug charges and charged one 
with having a gun at school, Union County Sheriff Frank McGuirt said.

At the request of Forest Hills Principal Archie Price, a 21-year-old female 
deputy posed as a student, taking classes, attending school activities and 
setting up bogus drug deals.

Price said he wanted to see if the school had a drug problem -- and stop it 
if it did. He did the same thing last year as principal at Piedmont High 
School.

"I'm not happy there were drugs here, and I'm not happy that some students 
made the wrong choices," Price said. "But I'm happy that those students 
have been dealt with."

Price said he was shocked to find out a student had a gun in a car. The 
student told officials about the gun as they went outside to search the 
car, he said.

A similar investigation was under way at Weddington High School until last 
week, when the undercover operative was killed in a car accident, McGuirt said.

According to sheriff's records, these students were charged with possession 
with intent to sell, as well as sale and delivery: Matthew Cole Lowery, 17, 
of Monroe; Michael Brandon Sims, 18, of Wingate; Damien Maurice Cabble, 18, 
of Marshville; and Robert Paul Winfrey III, 17, of Monroe. Mitchell O'Brian 
McKenzie, 17, of Marshville was charged with misdemeanor possession of 
marijuana and possession of a weapon on school property.
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MAP posted-by: Beth