San Juan County court records show an 18-year-old student is facing a misdemeanor charge after school officials and law enforcement allege the student was found with a THC vape on campus at Kirtland Central High School.
According to a criminal summons and statement of probable cause, the incident occurred on January 12, 2026, at approximately 2:36 p.m., at the high school located along Road 6100 in San Juan County.
What court records allege happened
Court records state that a school safety officer discovered a vape device on the student while the student was on campus. School administrators were notified, and the matter was referred to law enforcement.
A San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy later made contact with the student and advised him of his rights. According to the report, the student agreed to speak with the deputy and acknowledged the vape belonged to him.
The student told law enforcement he had obtained the vape a few days earlier at a local park. He admitted the device contained THC and said he had kept it in his pocket while at school. The student further stated he believed no one was watching when he began using the vape and acknowledged it was his first time being caught with a THC product.
School response and investigation
Court records describe that school safety staff were alerted after administrators observed a group of students appearing to vape. Safety coordinators responded to the area and conducted a search, during which the vape device was located on the student.
The vape was described as a black device with a non-removable cartridge. A field test was conducted using a cannabis testing kit, which returned a presumptive positive result for THC, according to the report.
The student admitted ownership of the vape and acknowledged knowing it contained THC.
Why charges were filed
Although cannabis possession is legal for adults in certain circumstances in New Mexico, state law continues to prohibit possession on school grounds and in other restricted areas.
Based on the student’s admission and the presumptive positive test result, the deputy issued a criminal summons charging the student with possession of cannabis products in a restricted area.
Rather than taking the student into custody, the court ordered him to appear and answer the charge at a later date.
Case status
The case is pending in Aztec Magistrate Court.
No plea has been entered as of publication.
All allegations outlined in court records remain unproven unless and until established in court.
Leave a Reply