Pubdate: Fri, 21 Oct 2005
Source: Monitor, The (McAllen, TX)
Copyright: 2005 The Monitor
Contact:  http://www.themonitor.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1250
Author: Eric Garza
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?217 (Drug-Free Zones)

STUDENT ARRESTED -- CHARGED WITH BRINGING POT BROWNIES TO SCHOOL

PHARRA- A 17-year-old PSJA North High School student was arrested
Wednesday morning after he allegedly showed up to school with
marijuana-laced brownies.

According to police reports, Antonio Saenz Jr. was in a classroom at
the start of the day when he offered a substitute teacher a piece of a
brownie he had on top of his desk. When the teacher picked it up, she
noticed that the brownie smelled like marijuana.

"Two other students smelled the brownie, tasted it, and told her that
it tasted like marijuana," municipal court records said.

The substitute called school security to escort Saenz to the
principal's office, where he was arrested by the Pharr Police Department.

Saenz was arraigned late Wednesday afternoon by Pharr Municipal Judge
Roberto Garza. He was escorted to the arraignment while he was wearing
a white T-shirt with a picture of a marijuana leaf and a girl in a
bikini printed across it.

Saenz appeared incoherent during the arraignment. The charges he faces
had to be repeated to him after he told the judge he did not
understand them.

Saenz was charged with possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone, a
class A misdemeanor. His bond was set at $5,000. The drug-free zone
designation placed on school campuses means Saenz could face stricter
penalties if found guilty.

School officials said Wednesday that they did not know how many
students may have eaten the marijuana-laced brownies.

PSJA Superintendent Arturo Guajardo said Saenz has been suspended from
school for three days. Further disciplinary action will be considered
following an administrative hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin