NEWBURYPORT — A 14-year-old Newburyport High School student is to be arraigned today in Essex County District Court, juvenile division, and is facing potential jail time for being in possession of multiple dangerous weapons on school property.
According to Newburyport Police Marshal Thomas Howard, the unnamed youth is guilty of breaking state law for carrying seven knives onto school property with the intent of selling them to his classmates. One of the knives, he said, is a switchblade-style knife outlawed under state law.
"A 14-year-old student at the high school was brought down to the office," said Howard of the Oct. 26 incident. "He turned up and gave them five knives he had on his possession for sale. Then he was found to be in possession of two more knives in his backpack."
Though being in possession of a dangerous weapon is forbidden under the school's code of conduct and in its policy manual, Howard said possession of the double-sided knife, which is classified as a switchblade due to its spring-assisted release, has brought forth more serious charges for the young student.
"You can't have a double-edged knife in your possession period," said Howard.
Though Howard and the school were unable to release the name of the individual in question, Howard said the youth was unknown to him and possessed no prior record.
"Obviously he made some bad decisions," said the marshal, who cited the possibility the youth will be remanded to the state juvenile facility due to the severity of this type of crime.
Where in some cases first-time juvenile offenders are eligible for diversion programs, Howard said judges don't often show leniency when it comes to weapons offenses.
"He's not eligible for diversion in this case," said Howard. "This is not a case they'd be willing to take for diversion."
The boy in question, Howard said, is considered a "decent student" by the school's account.
"I think he made some bad decisions — some bad choices and now he's living with the consequences and going through the system," said Howard.
Citing juvenile privacy issues, interim School Superintendent Deirdre Farrell declined to provide details of the Oct. 26 incident, but cited a letter that was sent out to parents of Newburyport High School students that assured them students were at no time in any danger in relation to the incident.
"We firmly believe that at no time was there any danger," said Farrell last night.
According to Howard, there is no evidence that the student actually completed a sale of weapons as he intended, but he said a number of students were aware of the incident, which he called "concerning."
"It's very concerning to us we'd have a youth with so many knives on school property," said Howard. "More concerning to us is that there would be another student willing to purchase them. I know there was knowledge — some kids knew these knives were available."
