By Miriah Griffith

April 17, 2007 | LOGAN -- Five arrests resulted from a drug bust near an elementary school Sunday afternoon

Officer Nathan Argyle of the Logan City Police Department responded to a report of marijuana odor from an apartment near 300 W. 200 North.

"Suspicion of odor alone isn't enough to enter a house," said Sgt. Louise Speth. "But we can respond to the complaint and then use other suspicious observations to justify probable cause or a warrant."

Police arrived and made five arrests:

• Terrah Peterson was charged with two class A misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
• Tyler Bowden was charged with a third-degree felony of possession of marijuana and a class A misdemeanor of possession of paraphernalia.
• Kyle Anderson was charged with two third-degree felonies of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
• Carelton M. Copp Jr. was charged with a first-degree felony of distribution of a controlled substance and two class A misdemeanors of possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
• Zach Peterson was also arrested, but charges were not immediately available.

Officer Chad Shumway and Barry Parslow went with Argyle to make the arrests.

"Drug charges are based on several different things," said Speth. "Even if it's the same charge it can have greater consequences for one person over another depending on amounts, prior convictions and location."

Any drug violation within 1,000 feet of a public building can also enhance the charges in Utah, said Speth. The arrest was right next to Ellis Elementary School.

"Some people don't like that law because in Logan you can't throw a rock without hitting a church," said Speth. "But anywhere there are kids, it becomes even more important to control drug use."

Copp posted bail and is no longer being held in custody, said Cache County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Dave Bennett. The status of the other people arrested was not available.

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