Thursday Tribunal for Cass QB Arrested in 'Molly' Case

A day before the start of the 2013-2014 school year, Cartersville City and Bartow County school systems leaders, along with local law enforcement officials, gathered to address concerns they say have resulted from the July 23 arrest of one current and two former high school athletes on drug distribution and firearms charges.

"We are proud to stand with our colleagues and friends with the Bartow County School System to explain to our community we will not reinforce poor judgement by ignoring consequences for unacceptable behavior," Cartersville City Schools Superintendent Howard Hinesley said at the Tuesday press conference.

Dylan Cade Williams, 18, who has signed on for a baseball scholarship to play at LSU; Brandon Shea Etheridge, 18, Cass High School's starting quarterback; and Samuel Lawrence Ayers, who is to attend an Alabama community college on a baseball scholarship; were arrested and charged in Bartow's first "Molly" case, along with Etheridge's parents and two other men, both age 24.

Cass grads Williams and Ayers played baseball for the Colonels along with Etheridge, who also plays football, according to The Daily Tribune News.

The three teens are each accused of trafficking Molly—a form of MDMA or ecstasy with a chemical make-up similar to that of methamphetamine, according to Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force Commander Capt. Mark Mayton—in addition to possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug felony.

While it's not clear if Williams and Ayers will retain their baseball scholarships, Cass' Etheridge may no longer be starting quarterback.

Bartow County Schools Superintendent John Harper said a Thursday tribunal, or disciplinary hearing, is set to determine if Etheridge has violated school policy, and if so, the appropriate disciplinary action, which could include long-term suspension or expulsion. 

Students who are found guilty and expelled are given an opportunity to earn their high school diplomas in an alternative setting, but aren't allowed to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, both Hinesley and Harper said.

"We have over 14,000 students and 2,000 staff that come to our schools daily and we're going to serve and protect all of them, and do everything possible to keep illegal substances and those possessing or using them out of our buildings," Harper said. "I appreciate any help the community can provide us in helping keep our students and staff safe, both in our buildings or at our events."

Both the city and county school systems use drug-sniffing dogs to conduct random searches on campuses. Hinesley said there's been no indication of drugs on campus in city schools.

Last year, Bartow Schools logged 12 reported drug incidents among some 7,000 middle and high school students, most of which involved marijuana and prescription pills, system Police Chief Dan Knowles said, adding one case involved a "harder" drug.

"What's happening outside the schools is happening inside the schools," Knowles said. "We're just trying to keep it out of our schools and away from our students."

Although no current Cartersville student was arrested as a result of the monthlong investigation, which culminated with a search warrant of Etheridge's 49 Benefield Circle home, Hinesley said the case has brought to light inconsistencies in discipline related to extra curricular activities. 

"The questions we have fielded on the consequences for what some view as minor offenses have been many," Hinesley added. "For this reason, we are going to begin the process of developing an extracurricular code of conduct that will ensure there is consistency with discipline in all of our extracurricular activities."

While parents Timothy and Christi Etheridge, each charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, bonded out of jail after their initial arrests, the younger Etheridge, Williams and Ayers and the two other men arrested—Christopher Lee Willingham, 24, also of 49 Benefield Circle in Cartersville, and Dustin Bradley Bush, 24, of Atlanta—were released on $25,000 bonds July 30, after spending a week in jail, Bartow County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Johnathan Roger said. 

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