High school student caught with cocaine in Kennett

KENNETT, Mo. -- The Kennett Police Department and Bootheel Drug Task Force are currently investigating an incident involving a student being in possession of a controlled substance on the high school campus.

According to Kennett Police Major Steve Williams, at approximately 10:47 a.m., Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent Chris Wilson contacted the department regarding a possibility of a student having drugs on the campus.

Williams said Cpl. Craig Crow then met with Wilson, who said some students had told him that another student had a controlled substance in his possession.

Williams said Crow met with the unidentified 18-year-old male student, advising him of his rights. The student then turned over a plastic bag he said he was keeping it for a friend.

The bag contained several smaller bags of a white powder substance, later tested and identified as powdered cocaine, according to Williams.

The bag was taken into evidence by Crow and the investigation is still in progress, Williams said, adding that no formal charges had been filed Tuesday morning.

When asked to comment, Kennett High School Principal Ed Siebenhuener said that 'Wednesday, the administration had reasonable suspicion to believe that a student had drugs on his personal property. The high school administration then pulled the student from class.'

Siebenhuener said the student was "very forthright, very forthcoming," in cooperating with the administration.

The principal said the administration confiscated the drugs and called the police department, who took the student into custody.

Following board policy, the student was suspended for 10 days, with a recommendation to Superintendent Jerry Noble for long-term suspension.

Pertinent address:

1400 W. Washington St., Kennett, Mo.