NEWARK, DE — The Delaware State Police announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male from New Castle, Delaware, for drug and gun offenses Wednesday morning at Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School in Newark.
The criminal complaint alleges that on September 13, 2023, at approximately 8:38 a.m., the Delaware State Police School Resource Officer at Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School, located at 2575 Glasgow Avenue, Newark, was notified by school staff of a report of drugs and a gun inside of a student’s vehicle. The school’s staff confirmed the vehicle was parked in the school’s parking lot and the student, identified as a 17-year-old male, was in class. The student was removed from his classroom and a search of his vehicle was conducted. The search led to the discovery of approximately 2.18 grams of marijuana, and a loaded handgun that was concealed in a black satchel. The student was taken into custody without incident. There were no threats stated or implied towards students or staff at the school and the school day proceeded as normal.
The student was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with the following crimes:
- Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited who also Possesses a Controlled Substance (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Juvenile (Felony)
- Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School Zone by a Student
- Possession of Marijuana by a Person Under 18
The 17-year-old student was arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 7 and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on a $20,100 cash bond.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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