Teen admits in juvenile court he was school's drug czar

LEBANON, Ohio — A 17-year-old high school student accused of being a drug “czar” with six teenage lieutenants admitted on Tuesday, during his first day in juvenile court, that he is guilty.

The thin, bespectacled teen had the choice to admit to or deny two felony drug-trafficking charges against him in Warren County Juvenile Court in Lebanon. The options are the juvenile court's version of pleading guilty or not guilty.

Judge Mike Powell warned the teen before he admitted guilt that he potentially could be in prison until he turns 21.

“I want to make sure you understand the significance of admitting to these crimes and the consequences of those admissions,” Powell told the Cincinnati-area youth. “As you sit there right now, you're presumed innocent. ... You don't have to prove to me that you're not guilty of the charges. Rather, the state has to prove that you are guilty.”

The teen, whom The Associated Press isn't identifying because of his age, responded: “I admit my guilt.”

He was ordered to remain under house arrest until his sentencing and must submit to random drug screenings.

The Warren County Drug Task Force said the teen is a sort-of captain of a major drug ring led by adults.

The teen had six teenage lieutenants, and the group sold as much as $20,000 worth of high-grade homegrown marijuana monthly to high schools students in two affluent Cincinnati-area schools, said task force Cmdr. John Burke.