Police: MCPS 12th grader reeking of marijuana, caught with weed, digital scale

SILVER SPRING, Md. (ABC7) — The "overwhelming odor" of marijuana led staff at Montgomery Blair High School to sniff out a 12th grader who was attempting to sell drugs to fellow classmates, Montgomery County Police said.

Dylan Sheffield, 19, of Silver Spring, is currently facing criminal charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute on school property, plus possession of marijuana in excess of 10 grams.

On Feb. 23, an assistant principal and the head of security stopped Sheffield on campus around lunchtime. When they inquired about the strong scent of marijuana, Sheffield allegedly ran away.

Staff members contacted the school resource officer assigned to Montgomery Blair for assistance. When the SRO arrived, Sheffield was reportedly on the ground of the Montgomery Blair counseling office, "struggling" with school staffers. The SRO handcuffed the 19-year-old and took him to jail.

While poking around Sheffield's backpack, police said they uncovered a brown paper bag with a "green leafy substance" stashed inside. There was also a digital scale and $161 in cash within the backpack. Investigators used that digital scale to measure the suspected marijuana, which weighed 15 grams.

MCPS said it chose not to notify the Montgomery Blair school community about Sheffield's arrest. It's unclear if the 19-year-old managed to provide any students with the illegal drug, which is banned on all school property.

Sheffield bonded out of jail one day after his arrest, and according to court paperwork, is currently living with his grandmother in Northeast D.C. He faces up to 26 years in prison.

Sheffield is scheduled to appear in Montgomery County District Court on March 23 for a preliminary hearing. No defense attorney is listed in court paperwork.