CSHS student faces endangerment charges for pot-laced cake

By Linda Bentley | April 7, 2010


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john stropkoSCOTTSDALE – On Wednesday afternoon, March 31, two Cactus Shadows High School (CSHS) students went to the nurse’s office complaining of having strange feelings including an elevated heart rate.

The two students, 16 and 18 years old, were taken to Thompson Peak Hospital where it was established they had THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive substance found in marijuana, in their systems.

The two students denied taking any illegal substances but said they ate some birthday cake earlier that another student had brought to school.

Investigators from Scottsdale Police Department said five other CSHS students, three 17-year-olds and two 18-year-olds, who were located off campus, also consumed the cake but did not require medical attention.

Carefree resident John Stropko, 18, was subsequently identified as the student who brought the cake to school and admitted to Scottsdale police he distributed the marijuana-laced cake to students.

Stropko was booked on endangerment charges and released.

Endangerment is a class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of $2,500 and/or six months in jail.

On Thursday, April 1, CSHS Principal Steve Bebee sent out a press release addressed to parents and guardians about the incident and said, “The school will now proceed with their investigation and discipline will be imposed according to district policy.”

Bebee also reminded parents and students that “no food prepared at home may be sent to school to share. Only food prepared for student’s own individual consumption may be brought on campus.”