14-year-old arrested in Provo on drug dealing charge - Daily Herald

PROVO -- Provo police have arrested a 14-year-old drug dealer who they say was using sixth-graders in his scheme.

Provo police Lt. Matt Siufanua said the teen was paying the sixth-graders to buy drugs for him and he would then distribute those drugs himself.

Siufanua said there are more than 150 charges of child endangerment and distribution of drugs pending against the 14-year-old, who is a student at Centennial Middle School. He said the teen would meet several students at Franklin Elementary School, where he would give them money to buy marijuana and Spice. The sixth-graders would then buy the drugs and bring them back to the suspect.

Siufanua said the suspect would pay the elementary students by giving them some of the drugs to use. The scheme has been going on since October.

Police are unsure where the sixth-graders were buying the drugs and are still investigating the case. Siufanua said the teen is being charged with multiple counts of both child endangerment and distribution of drugs.

"We are working closely with the school district. They have suspended the kids, but the focus will be on getting them help," Siufanua said. "The last thing we want to do is to get these kids started doing drugs. More than arrests, services will help these kids."

Greg Hudnall, associate superintendent with Provo School District, said all of the students involved will meet with the district drug and alcohol safe school committee. They could be suspended for a long period of time.

"Distribution of drugs could require up to a year out of school," Hudnall said. "Our goal would be to get help for them. We try to focus on the family, provide help and support and work with the juvenile court and them in drug and alcohol counseling."

Siufanua said they don't know where the suspect sold the drugs once he got them from the sixth-graders. What they do know is that the activity is gang-related and all of the children are associated with each other.

Hudnall said that to the best of his knowledge this is an isolated incident.

"They are kids that know each other and kids that live by each other," Hudnall said. "Many people are thinking drugs are rampant in our elementary schools. They are not. This is the first incident in any of our elementary schools. The student that was distributing was a middle school student, and as far as we know it is very isolated to one school."

The investigation started after Detective Dan Smith, a school resource officer, received a tip about the illegal activity.

Hudnall said the Provo School District is working to figure out the best way to alert parents and students at the involved schools about the activity. He also said that additional counseling services, including a crisis team, will be available to any families who need extra support.

Siufanua said there may be other children involved who they don't know about and asks that anyone with information in the case call Provo police at (801) 852-6210.