Published: March 28, 2007 08:23 am      

Four local teens face felony charges in Florida

Four teenagers from the Kosciusko area were arrested on felony drug charges in Florida during spring break, according to arrest documents obtained by The Star-Herald.

The teenagers, ranging in age from 14 to 18, were arrested by an Okaloosa County deputy on March 12 at 9:45 in a back parking lot of Destin nightspot Fudpucker’s, which was hosting a Teen Night Party.

A search of the 2002 Pontiac they were in found cocaine, marijuana, Loracet and Klonopin. The teens had intended to trade marijuana for cocaine and they had intended to sell marijuana, according to the arrest report. The latter charge was enhanced because they were 1,000 feet of a church. Their arraignment in Okaloosa County is set for April 17.

All of the teens’ names were released by authorities, but the juveniles’ names are being withheld by The Star-Herald until it is determined if their cases will go to Felony Court or Youth Court. Calls to the state attorney’s office were not returned.

All of the teens were charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or distribute within 1,000 feet of a church, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charged are:

• Michael Kyle, 18, of Kosciusko;

• A 15-year-old home-schooled boy with a Vaiden address;

• A 15-year-old girl who is an Ethel High School student with a Vaiden address;

• A 14-year-old girl who is a Kosciusko High School student.

The total amount of marijuana found was 16 grams, which, according to the arrest report, is “ beyond an amount for personal use.”

The officer also discovered two “ceramic smoking devices” as well as the pills and substances that field-tested positive as cocaine and marijuana. He also reported finding rolling papers, a Mountain Dew container with a hole melted into it and a clear plastic straw with white residue on it.

According to the arrest report, the deputy approached the teens because they were smoking cigarettes and “did not appear to be of the legal age to be in possession of cigarettes.”