Family and friends of a local high school student say he has been unfairly targeted in a school incident that has resulted in a felony charge against him.

LeBrent Smith, a 17-year-old junior at Sandy Creek High School, had his first appearance in Fayette County Magistrate Court Tuesday afternoon to face a charge of obstruction of an officer. More than a dozen classmates, relatives and friends crowded into the tiny courtroom to support him.

The accusation, as read in Magistrate Court, said that Smith was given a lawful command by a deputy, raised his hand in a threatening manner, and resisted the law enforcement officer.

The incident Monday afternoon involved Smith and the school's resource officer, Anthony Rhodes, and the arrest took place after he and Rhodes scuffled in the school cafeteria, according to eyewitness accounts by other students.

Charles Floyd, Smith's attorney, said at the hearing that he had already conducted a preliminary investgation and expected to give a “vigorous defense” of the charges.

He asked Judge A.K. Melear to grant a small bond or none and release Smith to the custody of his parents, noting that Smith is in school and has been employed in a stable part-time job for more than a year.

“We have found at least 60 people who are anxious to come forward in his behalf,” said Floyd.

Melear set Smith's bond at $15,000 and set conditions that included the defendant not being allowed to return to the Sandy Creek campus. Floyd said that Smith would need to return at least once to organize his studies so that they can be continued at an alternate site. “You can handle that,” Melear said to Floyd.

According to Sandy Creek's principal, Dr. Charles Warr, Rhodes was instructed to investigate rumors of a potential conflict between some students. Rhodes spotted one of the youths allegedly involved at dismissal time and proceeded to question him.

“The student was very uncooperative, would not follow the officer's instructions and became combative. At that point, Officer Rhodes proceeded to arrest the student and he was taken into custody,” Warr said in a statement issued the day following the incident.

Warr said he was told that the student bumped his head during the altercation, and may have suffered cuts and scrapes.

Wayne Robinson, director of secondary school operations for the Fayette County School District, said it is standard policy for school administrators to resolve a possible conflict before students leave the campus. “We can't let that go,” he said. Warr said their proactive approach was an attempt to remind the student involved of the policies and rules.

Smith was released on bond Tuesday. His mother, Constance Hooper, said that he has been having problems with the resource officer and members of the administration since he got to the school. “They've been provoking him from day one,” said Hooper.

“My concern is him not getting his education,” she said, adding that she has two younger children at the school she is concerned about. She added that she was told of an incident where one of the principals said that her son would have to be “watched closely.”

“This boy has not been able to go to the bathroom” without being bothered by the administration, she said. “It's like he has been put in a prison.”

She feels that this school year is wasted no matter what. Shortly after leaving court Tuesday, she got a phone call from the school saying that Smith is on a 10-day suspension, and a hearing will be conducted after that.

She has not discussed with her husband yet what they will be doing. He has been out of town and was unable to attend Tuesday's court appearance.

Denise Morse, a friend of the family and also a Sandy Creek parent, said that the school's resource officer has threatened to get rid of Smith and other students they have identified as trouble makers. She said Smith had some problems a few years ago, but does not get into trouble now.

Morse said that she spoke with some witnesses about this incident, and she is convinced that Smith was unjustly provoked and should never have been in trouble at all.

According to Morse, another student approached Smith right after school Monday and tried to pick a fight with him. Smith tried to walk away, but a coach standing nearby pointed him out to the resource officer, Morse said.

When the resource officer tried to stop him for questioning, Smith said he had to hurry to catch his bus. At this time, according to Morse, the officer grabbed him and put him under arrest.

Morse feels that the African-American students, particularly males, are faced with a disciplinary double standard.

Warr disputed the claim, stating,”...the resource officer enforces the law and enforces it for all students.”

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