Teen arrested for pot-laced brownies

A 17-year-old Flathead High School graduate was arrested Saturday night for distribution of dangerous drugs after allegedly giving marijuana-laced brownies to classmates prior to a graduation party.

Kalispell Police Officer Jason Parce said the teen was one of seven students who exhibited signs of intoxication during the Crosstown Craze graduation party at The Summit in Kalispell.

Each of the teens was released to parents following the incident, which came to light when a student approached Parce at about 11 p.m.

Six were boys and the seventh was a girl, he said.

"I was approached by a student who was in a panic and was asking what was wrong and what was going on," Parce said Monday. "Of course, everything was normal and he was just having a reaction."

Parce said he quickly noticed that another 17-year-old boy was being tended to by parents nearby and was showing similar symptoms.

"He looked terrible," Parce said. "He had lost color in his face and it was obvious he was having a reaction."

Five others soon were identified with similar symptoms, which included hallucinations, confusion, increased heart rates, perspiration and garbled speech.

Parce said parents were called and all of them declined medical attention for the youths, instead choosing to take them home.

The 17-year-old charged with distributing the brownies admitted to the crime, Parce said. One brownie was found in a vehicle and was taken as evidence, he said.

Parce said the brownies were consumed in the parking lot of The Summit before the graduating seniors entered the building.

"It has been put in evidence and we will send it off to have it evaluated," he said.

Parce said several students who had not consumed the brownies left out of disappointment and frustration after the incident.

"It really ruined their night," he said. "They were pretty upset."

The annual event is aimed at providing students from local high schools with a drug- and alcohol-free venue to celebrate the conclusion of their high school careers.

Parce declined to released the name of the youth who was arrested because he is a juvenile.

Kallispell Police Chief Roger Nasset said Monday afternoon that he would have to speak with the City Attorney's Office before deciding whether or not to release the youth's name.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.