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Helena Teen Texts Sheriff for Drugs

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Sep 7, 2010 at 5:25 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 8, 2010 at 7:34 AM MST

It seems like a simple concept, when looking for drugs, texting the sheriff is not a good idea. A text meant for a drug dealer landed in Sheriff Leo Dutton's inbox and the interception is gaining national attention.

Last week, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton received a text message reading "hey dawg you got a twenty I can buy right now?"

At first, Dutton thought it was a joke but he quickly realized it was a message intended for drugs he played along and replied "how much we talking?"

After turning it over to the Missouri River Drug Task Force authorities met the 15 year-old boy and his friend at a store north of town and turns out they were with one of the boy's fathers.

After confronting the teen, Dutton says his face went white and he fainted. Authorities did not issue a citation and turned the disciplinary actions over to the parents.

"They didn't get arrested, I understand that, but the value of having someone a parent involved - because they didn't know, the parents had no idea, how easily can that happen to all of us? And they can use this as a stepping stone in life rather than a stumbling block,” says Dutton.

Dutton has received praise from all around the world for his detective's decision to let the parents discipline the child, with positive affirmations coming from as far as Ireland and Egypt.

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alawyer said on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 12:29 PM

GOOD FOR YOU SHERIFF!!! We saddle far two many kids with records that cripple them insofar as going on to college or doing other things with their lives. We need MORE cops who turn over minor idsciplinary situations to the parents, and far fewer arrests.

Philly Shortman said on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 11:33 AM

That would be totally awkward if the Drug Task Force came to confront anybody? I guess you got to watch and who you text these days.Maybe if it was an adult they would get arrested?

CLAYTON PETERSON said on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 11:11 AM

AIRWOLFKORN CANT READ

inmontana62 said on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 7:05 AM

should have made the deal and took him to jail.

airwolfkorn said on Wednesday, Sep 8 at 5:04 AM

i'm sure you meant "but he" not "be he".

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