Source: San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune (CA) Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/ Copyright: 1998 San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune Pubdate: Thursday, November 24, 1998 Author: Neil Farrell, Special to the Telegram-Tribune 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