YOUTH COACH ARRESTED IN DRUG RING

A youth football coach was arrested at his home early Wednesday in a
developing investigation of a drug distribution ring with access to
pre-teens learning to punt, pass and kick.

Detectives do not know how young the coach's youngest alleged drug client
has been, but at least one former player reportedly told investigators he
received marijuana from the man around the age of 10.

The suspect is a coach of a Kearns team for 9-, 10-, and 11-year-olds.

"He has been coaching for 13 years -- we could be looking at this whole
time span," said Sheriff's spokeswoman Peggy Faulkner. "You entrust your
kids to these people to teach them right from wrong, to stay away from
drugs, and look what we have here."

The suspect has not been charged, but was booked into the Salt Lake County
Jail on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute as well as a
weapon's violation. The Tribune does not normally name suspects until they
have been charged.

Salt Lake County sheriff's investigators were led to the coach after a
traffic stop a week ago turned up an 18-year-old with marijuana and a story
about buying pot from his former football coach.

Detectives said they arranged a few controlled buys with the coach. They
secured a search warrant Wednesday for the suspect's Kearns home.

Once inside, detectives said they found 2-3 pounds of marijuana and a cache
of weapons, including an illegal weapon.

Acting on a subsequent tip, detectives issued a search warrant on the
coach's alleged supplier. At that Kearns home, investigators found 16-17
pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine and weapons. The second suspect is not
a football coach. He was arrested on suspicion of drug distribution, a
weapon's violation and possession of methamphetamine.