Teen pleads guilty to drug charges

Kalispell teenager Connor Thomas, accused of bringing marijuana-laced brownies to a June 4 Flathead High School graduation party, has pleaded guilty to two felony charges of distributing drugs.

Thomas, 18, entered the pleas in a Flathead County courtroom Friday morning, with a third charge of criminal endangerment dropped as a result. The case was refiled in Youth Court in August after he was initially charged in District Court.

Thomas was 17 at the time of the incident.

As a result of the charges, Thomas was dropped from the Montana State University football program by head coach Rob Ash after signing a letter of intent in the spring. He was a valedictorian at the high school, carrying a 4.0 grade point average and excelling in football, wrestling and track.

According to police, Thomas was arrested and released after six attendees at the graduation party appeared intoxicated. The annual party at The Summit fitness center in Kalispell was billed as a drug- and alcohol-free event for graduating seniors of both Glacier and Flathead high schools.

The court also declared Thomas a delinquent youth and a serious juvenile offender during the hearing. A disposition hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 23.