Orem man was selling pot to pay for police academy, officers say

PROVO — Police have arrested an Orem man who allegedly told officers he was selling marijuana in order to pay for tuition at the police academy.

Marcos Antonio Ramirez, 20, was arrested Saturday for investigation of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a stolen firearm.

Police obtained a search warrant to search Ramirez after they were told he was distributing marijuana. During the search, officers found marijuana, a digital scale, sandwich bags, some Lortab, drug paraphernalia and a stolen firearm, a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court states.

Ramirez admitted to police he had been selling the marijuana for the past five months to pay for tuition at the police academy, said Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez. Martinez did not know if Ramirez had applied or had been accepted to the police academy.

Ramireaz also told police he got the gun from someone who stole it out of a vehicle, the affidavit states.

— Abigail Shaha