Teacher Accused Of Giving Marijuana To Students

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (CBS4) - A high school teacher from Louisville is accused of giving marijuana edibles to students after two others reported it.

Louisville police arrested 49-year-old Brian DuFresne on Tuesday. A music teacher at Monarch High School for the last 16 years, he's now accused of giving at least two of his students marijuana while on the job.

According to court documents, a female student suspected one of her classmates was high during choir period. She then secretly recorded him telling her that their teacher Mr. DuFresne gave him and another male student edibles.

Police identified and interviewed the male students who said they'd gone to lunch with the teacher and on the way back stopped so all three could ingest a piece of marijuana candy before returning.

At least one of the teens reported leaving campus with Mr. DuFresne on a separate occasion, in which they smoked a bowl of marijuana together in the teacher's car.

The district says he was put on administrative leave when the investigation started last month.

Monarch High School Principal Jerry Lee Anderson responded to the arrest in a statement:

A Monarch High staff member, Brian du Fresne, has been placed on administrative leave pending a criminal investigation. I realize that a situation like this is difficult for everyone involved. There is nothing else that I can share with you regarding this matter because it is a confidential personnel issue. What I do want to share is that I will continue to place first the welfare and safety of every student at Monarch High School.  I am grateful that MHS is a very caring community, and I trust that we will all be patient and supportive of one another while this investigation is underway.

Both of the male students involved are 18 years old, but neither has a medical marijuana license.

DuFresne also broke school policy which requires teachers maintain a professional boundary with students.