Family and friends of a

local high school student say he has been unfairly

targeted in a school incident that has resulted in a

felony charge against him.

LeBrent Smith, a

17-year-old junior at Sandy Creek High School, had his

first appearance in Fayette County Magistrate Court

Tuesday afternoon to face a charge of obstruction of an

officer. More than a dozen classmates, relatives and

friends crowded into the tiny courtroom to support him.

The accusation, as read in

Magistrate Court, said that Smith was given a lawful

command by a deputy, raised his hand in a threatening

manner, and resisted the law enforcement officer.

The

incident Monday afternoon involved Smith and the school's

resource officer, Anthony Rhodes, and the arrest took

place after he and Rhodes scuffled in the school

cafeteria, according to eyewitness accounts by other

students.

Charles Floyd, Smith's

attorney, said at the hearing that he had already

conducted a preliminary investgation and expected to give

a "vigorous defense" of the charges.

He asked Judge A.K. Melear

to grant a small bond or none and release Smith to the

custody of his parents, noting that Smith is in school

and has been employed in a stable part-time job for more

than a year.

"We have found at

least 60 people who are anxious to come forward in his

behalf," said Floyd.

Melear set Smith's bond at

$15,000 and set conditions that included the defendant

not being allowed to return to the Sandy Creek campus.

Floyd said that Smith would need to return at least once

to organize his studies so that they can be continued at

an alternate site. "You can handle that,"

Melear said to Floyd.

According

to Sandy Creek's principal, Dr. Charles Warr, Rhodes was

instructed to investigate rumors of a potential conflict

between some students. Rhodes spotted one of the youths

allegedly involved at dismissal time and proceeded to

question him.

"The

student was very uncooperative, would not follow the

officer's instructions and became combative. At that

point, Officer Rhodes proceeded to arrest the student and

he was taken into custody," Warr said in a statement

issued the day following the incident.

Warr said

he was told that the student bumped his head during the

altercation, and may have suffered cuts and scrapes.

Wayne

Robinson, director of secondary school operations for the

Fayette County School District, said it is standard

policy for school administrators to resolve a possible

conflict before students leave the campus. "We can't

let that go," he said. Warr said their proactive

approach was an attempt to remind the student involved of

the policies and rules.

Smith was released on bond

Tuesday. His mother, Constance Hooper, said that he has

been having problems with the resource officer and

members of the administration since he got to the school.

"They've been provoking him from day one," said

Hooper.

"My concern is him not

getting his education," she said, adding that she

has two younger children at the school she is concerned

about. She added that she was told of an incident where

one of the principals said that her son would have to be

"watched closely."

"This boy has not been

able to go to the bathroom" without being bothered

been put in a prison."

She feels that this school

year is wasted no matter what. Shortly after leaving

court Tuesday, she got a phone call from the school

saying that Smith is on a 10-day suspension, and a

hearing will be conducted after that.

She has not discussed with

her husband yet what they will be doing. He has been out

of town and was unable to attend Tuesday's court

appearance.

Denise Morse, a friend of

the family and also a Sandy Creek parent, said that the

school's resource officer has threatened to get rid of

Smith and other students they have identified as trouble

makers. She said Smith had some problems a few years ago,

but does not get into trouble now.

Morse said that she spoke

with some witnesses about this incident, and she is

convinced that Smith was unjustly provoked and should

never have been in trouble at all.

According to Morse, another

student approached Smith right after school Monday and

tried to pick a fight with him. Smith tried to walk away,

but a coach standing nearby pointed him out to the

resource officer, Morse said.

When the resource officer

tried to stop him for questioning, Smith said he had to

hurry to catch his bus. At this time, according to Morse,

the officer grabbed him and put him under arrest.

Morse feels

that the African-American students, particularly males,

are faced with a disciplinary double standard.

Warr

disputed the claim, stating,"...the resource officer

enforces the law and enforces it for all students."