An undercover operation conducted in Mount Shasta High School ended this morning with the arrest of 5 juveniles and 4 adults, among them the newest member of the Mount Shasta City Council, Katrina Howard, said Mount Shasta Police Chief Parish Cross this afternoon.
During Howard’s arrest on Wednesday morning, the task force confiscated 34 pounds of processed marijuana, 7 Oxycontins, and 2 firearms from her residence, as well as her personal computer, containing photographs of Howard engaging in the use of illegal drugs in the company of what appeared to be juveniles.
The operation, which began at Yreka High School in August and at Mount Shasta High School in mid-October, was “in response to many concerned parents, students, and school administrators who wanted a larger emphasis placed on schools’ potential drug activities,” said Mount Shasta Police Chief Parish Cross. “The operation has been a goal of the MSPD for the last few years, but due to the lack of resources and a qualified undercover officer, it took longer to accomplish... The goal of the operation was to identify drug dealers in and around the school grounds and adults dealing drugs to our youth of Mount Shasta.”
The operation coordinated the efforts of law enforcement agencies across Siskiyou County, and was led by the Siskiyou Countywide Interagency Narcotic Task Force under the supervision of the California Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE). Approximately 50 officers were involved in the Mount Shasta operation. In Yreka, another 50 officers were involved in the arrest of 10 juveniles and 9 adults at that location. In addition, one child was taken into protective custody. Five Yreka individuals remain at large, according to James Parker, Senior Special Agent in charge of the BNE.
“Our goal is to keep high school students in a drug free environment, where they are not constantly bombarded to buy drugs,” Parker said.
Mount Shasta Mayor Tim Stearns expressed his shock when he heard the news of Howard’s arrest. “I don’t have the facts yet,” Stearns said before the detailed press release came out. “I’d like to wait until I have more information.” As for future plans of the council, he was unsure.
Council member Russ Porterfield was also surprised by the news. “I’m still in shock; I haven’t thought past that yet... As for the worst case scenario, if she’s convicted, I guess we’ll be looking for a new council member... I’m not sure how that process goes.”
Mike Matheson, Superintendent of Siskiyou Union High School District, of which Mount Shasta High School is a part, said he is asking Chief Cross as well as Siskiyou County Sheriff Rick Riggins to speak at the district board meeting, which is scheduled for this evening.
“I think what’s important is that we are all working together to have a safe campus... to keep our students safe. We don’t want drugs on our campus,” Matheson said.
Howard was booked into Siskiyou County Jail this morning. Her bail is set at $200,000, and Parker said that to his knowledge, she remains in custody. Howard faces several charges, including sales of marijuana, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, and maintaining a place where marajuana is processed and sold. She may also face weapons charges, said Parker.
Also arrested in Mount Shasta were Aaron Russo and Jules Unger of Mount Shasta, and Sivongsa Johnson of Weed, all born in 1988.
“You never know who you’re going to get [when you engage in undercover operations],” Parker said, referring to the arrest of Howard, who is a high profile figure in the community.
“She was treated like any other individual,” Chief Cross said. “This was a fairly extensive operation... I’m proud of all the agencies involved. We’ve sent a strong message that drug use and sales is not acceptable in Mount Shasta.”