3 found with guns at 2 high schools

PROVO — As debate simmers over laws governing firearms, three Utah County high school students have been found with guns at school.

One Payson High School student and two Provo High School students are facing legal trouble and school discipline for carrying firearms into schools.

The incident at Provo High is coming under additional scrutiny because one of the students involved in the incident has been identified by local sources as T.G. Wesley, 18, a basketball player.

His brother, Mekeli Wesley, is a standout player on Brigham Young University's basketball team.

A 1994 Gun-Free Schools Act requires schools that receive federal funding to expel any students caught with firearms for up to one year. Another federal Safe Schools act also bans any weapons — real or fake — on campuses.

Provo district officials refuse to comment on the alleged weapon violation. Greg Hudnall, Provo district's student services director, said legal counsel advised the administration not to discuss the issue, including questions regarding whether weapons were found at the Provo public school.

In a statement issued Thursday, district officials invoked the Family Educational and Privacy Act, which prohibits the release of confidential information of a student, as legal reason for declining to release information about the incident.

According to Provo's policy governing acts of misconduct in schools, which includes possession of a weapon, the maximum discipline for the first-time offender is a suspension for up to 10 school days. The minimum penalty is a conference with the student, his or her parents and an administrator.

Frances Larsen, spokeswoman for the Nebo School District, said the 17-year-old from Payson was suspended Wednesday by the school board. He was accused of taking a gun to a Jan. 5 basketball game at Spanish Fork High School.

The Payson student doesn't yet face criminal charges.

In the Provo incident, however, a 17-year-old was convicted of three misdemeanor firearms possession charges for taking a handgun to a basketball game against Timpview on Jan. 19.

A 4th District Juvenile Court judge allowed the teen to chose between returning to his native Samoa until he was 18 or spending 18 months in Slate Canyon Youth Center.

The teen, who had been on probation for another matter, returned to Samoa. The gun was was handled mostly by the 17-year-old, but Wesley allegedly was in possession of the gun for a short time.

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Contributing: Associated Press

E-MAIL: jeffh@desnews.com