3 students arrested for drugs, drug paraphernalia

Published 4:43 pm Friday, January 29, 2010

Three students of Thorsby School were arrested Wednesday after a school-wide drug search turned up small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the school as well as in vehicles parked on school property.

The drug search was conducted by school administrators, the Thorsby Police Department and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department.

Two of the students, both juveniles, were arrested by Thorsby Police. Law enforcement agencies do not release the names of juveniles.

A third student, Justin Lee Robinson, 18, was taken into custody by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Kevin Davis confirmed. He was charged with possession of marijuana second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robinson posted bond of $1,500 Thursday night, Davis said.

“Thorsby School administrators as well as law enforcement have a zero tolerance drug policy in our schools,” Thorsby Chief of Police Rodney Barnett said. “Drugs are common, unfortunately, in this day and time, but we’re not going to have it in our school system.”

Davis said local law enforcement agencies help conduct educational programs in schools each year. He said searches are conducted on a regular basis and normally do not turn up a large amount of drugs.

Thorsby School Principal Russ Bryan said he could not comment directly about the students based on pending action by the board of education.

“I thank the Thorsby Police Department and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department for helping school officials with our investigation,” Bryan said.