Teen back in custody for alleged drug violation

A 17-year-old student was returned to custody last week after his probation officer discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia at his residence and the suspect tested positive.

Jaden Pool, who pleaded guilty last week to eluding a police officer, was arrested at his Johnson Lane residence Thursday.

Department of Alternative Sentencing Chief Michael Beam told District Judge Michael Gibbons on Monday that he discovered marijuana and paraphernalia during a routine search of Pool's room.

Beam said the items were not there in earlier checks of Pool's house.

He said Pool tested positive for marijuana.

"Mr. Pool's room is cluttered, but I did a thorough search in November and did not see the marijuana baggie or paraphernalia. In my opinion it was not there in the first search," Beam said.

"My client maintains it was old," said Thomas Armstrong, Pool's attorney.

"Wouldn't Mr. Pool have searched his own room before the officer arrived, and said, 'Wow! I better get this stuff out of here?'" Gibbons asked.

"One would hope so," Armstrong said.

Pool pleaded guilty Dec. 14 to eluding the deputy who was responding to a juvenile party last September in the Pine Nuts.

He failed to stop for the officer whose patrol car was displaying lights and sirens.

In the course of a high-speed chase through the remote area on Sept. 10, Pool admitted causing an accident that resulted in injury to a passenger and destruction of a fence. He also admitted posing a danger to the deputy who was chasing him.

Armstrong asked that his client be placed in an inpatient drug treatment program on an outcount basis which means he is still considered a Douglas County Jail inmate.

Gibbons agreed, but warned Pool consequences were severe if he violated any regulations or walked away from the treatment center.

"He knows this is thin ice at best," Armstrong said.

Prosecutor Erik Levin asked that Pool be incarcerated until after sentencing Jan. 31. He faces up to six years in Nevada State Prison.

"It's equally important to me his attempts to obstruct testing," Levin said. "There were instances where he said he couldn't produce a sample or when he didn't come in for testing when he said he would. I think a period of time incarcerated would give him a chance to dry out and a sense of what he's facing if he doesn't straighten out."

Gibbons ordered Pool to remain in custody unless he is placed in treatment.

"If you walk away (from treatment), it will be considered an escape," Gibbons said. "With the slightest violation of the rules, you will be ejected. There is no tolerance for violations."

According to reports, the deputy said he arrived at the Pine Nuts shortly after 11 p.m. Sept. 10 but was unable to locate the party.

He said he saw multiple vehicles driving in the area, including two which were speeding in a posted 35-mph zone.

Despite the lights and sirens, the suspect's vehicle continued until a dead end at the Douglas County transfer station.

The officer said the driver attempted to make a U-turn at the gate and positioned itself parallel to the patrol car. The deputy turned a spotlight on the driver who raised both hands in the air.

The deputy said as he began to raise his handgun, the suspect looked at him and turned his vehicle toward him. As the deputy stood outside the door of his patrol car, the suspect's vehicle continued toward him as he ran to get out of the way.

Pool denied that he deliberately tried to hurt the deputy.

Pool spent 30 days in juvenile detention following the incident before he was placed on house arrest.

Gibbons certified him as an adult.