Opinion : Texting sheriff for pot, not the best idea : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Texting sheriff for pot, not the best idea

Published on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 7:08 PM MDT

Shooting the breeze
Louisa Barber

Kids, remember this: Texting your local law enforcement for some pot, isn’t very bright.

In looking to score marijuana recently, a Helena teen accidentally sent a text message to the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff, Leo Dutton, rather than a local drug dealer. “Hey Dawg, do you have a $20 I can buy right now?” it read.

The Helena Independent Record reported Dutton thought it was a joke at first but then realized it was a real request. So he went along with it. “How much we talking?” Dutton replied. A meeting was set at a local business, and a detective was sent to act as the dealer. Inside the business the detective spotted two male juveniles with a man who would turn out to be a father of one of the teens. To ensure it was the right person, the detective called the number three times, Dutton said.

Then the detective called the teens over to him and revealed his badge. The two apparently turned white and “their knees began to wobble.” One of them actually passed out as they discussed the issue.

The father who was with them was upset and after being unaware of the situation. Both sets of parents got involved, and ultimately no citations were issued.

“When the detective saw there were parents that wanted to be involved he took the right action, and I’m really proud of the deputy,” Dutton told the paper. “Trying to buy drugs is a crime, but it’s probably worse that they had to face their parents.”

What a way to learn a lesson. Maybe this incident will help keep them away from drugs. Karma’s a...well, you know.

Louisa Barber is a reporter for the Sidney Herald. She can be reached at 406-433-2403 | reporter@sidneyherald.com

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