Ex-STHS security guard admits guilt

By Kathryn Reed

Former South Tahoe High School security guard Larry Brown pleaded guilty last week to felony transportation of marijuana and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Brown, 64, was arrested in November 2009 in an incident involving marijuana and a 16-year-old female student. His employment with the school district was terminated shortly after his arrest.

Brown faces 45 days in jail and three years probation. He also must pay a $1,000 fine.

Other requirements per the settlement agreement include: staying off the premises of STHS unless present with advance written consent of school administration, no contact with the victim, and not being in a vehicle with any female between ages of 14 and 18 unless another adult is present or he is related to the person he is with.

“We spent a considerable amount of time and effort trying to come to the right outcome here. I met with the defense several times and also spoke with the victim and investigating officer, as well as listening to the audio recording of the incident made by the investigating deputy sheriff at least three times,” Hans Uthe, El Dorado County assistant district attorney, told Lake Tahoe News. “We gave significant consideration to the victim’s thoughts and to the absence of prior convictions of the defendant, but also factored in the need to address the conduct at hand, which we considered to be reasonably serious. Mr. Brown appears to be extremely remorseful about what appears to have been some bad decisions he made at a difficult time in his life, which decisions resulted in very serious personal, professional and legal consequences for him, all of which were also taken into consideration.”