JUSTICES UPHOLD PARENTS' DRUG HOUSE CONVICTIONS

Former School Workers' Sons Used Home

PIERRE - Two former employees of the Sioux Falls School District were
properly convicted of maintaining a house where drugs were used or sold,
the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for the jury to find that Richard
and Carolyn LaPlante knew their sons were using, keeping or selling drugs
from the family's home, the high court said.

Evidence about marijuana and guns seized from the house also was properly
admitted in the couple's trial, the justices said in a unanimous decision.

Carolyn LaPlante, a former teacher and drug prevention adviser, and Richard
LaPlante, a former maintenance employee, argued that they did not realize
what their adult sons were doing in the house. But prosecutors said even
neighbors were aware of what was happening and had called police about
possible drug trafficking.

In a March 2000 search of the LaPlante home, police seized methamphetamine,
marijuana, scales, loaded guns, syringes, a bulletproof vest and other
items connected to drug use and sales. Prosecutors said much of the seized
material was in plain sight.

Two of the couple's sons were convicted on drug charges.

A jury last year found the couple guilty of maintaining a house where drugs
were used or sold. Both were sentenced to four years in prison, but their
sentences were suspended on a number of conditions, including that they
keep their home free of drugs for four years.

The Supreme Court said the jury was given sufficient evidence to support
its finding of guilt.

The high court said even though possession of a small amount of drugs is
not sufficient to support a conviction for keeping a drug house, the
LaPlante' case involves much more than the isolated, personal use of drugs.

''The totality of the evidence found here circumstantially suggests that
both methamphetamine and cocaine were used, stored and sold in the home on
an ongoing basis,'' Justice Steven Zinter wrote for the court.

In a search of the Richard and Carolyn LaPlante home, police seized
methamphetamine, marijuana, scales, loaded guns, syringes, a bulletproof
vest and other items