MORRO TEEN LEADER ARRESTED

Police seize 1 1/2 pounds of suspected marijuana from man's home

Police arrested the city's teen recreation activities coordinator Monday on
suspicion of growing and selling marijuana.

Grant Benjamin Leonard, 26, was arrested about 4:30 p.m. after officers
served a search warrant at a home in the 2400 block of Laurel Avenue, said
Morro Bay Police Sgt. Gregg Beuer.

Police received an anonymous tip concerning Leonard about three weeks ago,
Beuer said. Officers reportedly found an estimated 1 1/2 pounds of marijuana
in the residence. Beuer said Wednesday that the street value of the
marijuana had not been determined.

Leonard rents a room in the house from his father, Beuer said. No one else
lives in the two-bedroom home.

Police allegedly found several harvested marijuana plants hung up to dry,
several packages of already dried buds, and indications of pot sales -
including a scale and records of past drug deals, Beuer said.

The records identify about 20 people by first name only, Beuer said. Beuer
recognized some of the names as associates of Leonard's who are roughly his
age. Other names weren't familiar.

Leonard was booked for suspicion of sales of marijuana and cultivation of
marijuana, "both heavy felonies," said Beuer.

Leonard posted $12,500 bail and was released from jail Monday night. Police
believe Leonard has no prior arrests.

Leonard's supervisor, Recreation and Parks Director Andrea Lueker, said
Leonard has been working part-time for the city for about a year.

He has been the teen activities coordinator, said Lueker. He helps stage
various teen activities, such as the Friday Night Kick-back parties and teen
dances, she added.

Beuer said there was no evidence that Leonard sold marijuana to teen-agers
in the city's program.

City Attorney Robert Schultz said Leonard was told not to report for work
Tuesday while the city investigates the matter.

City Manager Dave Cole said city officials are very concerned about the
arrest and are reviewing Leonard's case. Leonard had also not reported for
work Wednesday, but Cole could not comment on how much longer the city's
investigation might last.

City Personnel Director Ardith Davis, speaking generally, said the city
performs background checks on all employees. Davis said Leonard did undergo
a background check.

The city requires random drug testing, but only on employees with commercial
driver's licenses, including those who operate heavy equipment or drive
large vehicles such as the city's dump truck, Davis said.

Neil Farrell is a reporter for the Sun Bulletin in Morro Bay.

Checked-by: Don Beck