ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JANITOR ACCUSED OF SELLING MARIJUANA TO KIDS PLEADS GUILTY

LONG BEACH -- An elementary school janitor accused of selling marijuana to
students at his Long Beach school pleaded guilty Monday to seven criminal
charges and was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison.

Mark Thomas Jackson, 33, pleaded guilty to felony counts of child abuse,
using a minor to sell marijuana, conspiracy to sell marijuana and
possession of marijuana for sale, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney
George Rosenstock said in a statement.

Jackson also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of contributing to the
delinquency of a minor and solicitation of a minor to sell marijuana. His
sentence was handed down by Superior Court Judge Arthur Jean.

Jackson, of Banning, was a janitor at Cubberly Elementary School in Long
Beach. Prosecutors said he sold marijuana to students for five months
beginning last October, and used a student to sell marijuana to classmates.