New Richmond students face expulsion

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Three New Richmond High School students face expulsion after a K-9 unit from the St. Croix Sheriff’s Department found prescription drugs, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in their possession at the school on March 27.

According to Morrie Veilleux, district administrator, the K-9 officer found the prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia in two different student lockers.

The dogs can’t actually sniff out the prescription drugs, said Mark Samelstad, police chief; however, because the dog hit on other drug-related items, officers performed a search of the student’s locker and found the prescription drugs.

The random K-9 search isn’t uncommon at NRHS, said Principal Jeff Moberg. According to Samelstad, officers do K-9 sweeps at the school one to two times per year.

“Sometimes dogs hit on the lockers and sometimes they don’t,” he said. “Sometimes they hit on the locker and we don’t find anything.”

According to Veilleux, two students, a junior and a senior, were being questioned when police learned of another student, 18-year-old Tyler Bolstad, who had allegedly brought “a significant amount” of marijuana to the school that morning.

Police searched Bolstad’s vehicle and allegedly found three baggies containing about 14.5 grams of marijuana, Samelstad said. He was arrested and is scheduled to appear in St. Croix County Court on May 14.

The expulsions hearings, which are held in closed session, were scheduled for Wednesday, April 18.

Jackie Grumish is a reporter for the New Richmond News.

Tags: news, wisconsin, crime