Four seventh-graders from Deming's Red Mountain Middle School were released from custody Tuesday afternoon after being arrested by agents of the Border Operation Task Force at mid-day Monday for possession of marijuana in a drug-free school zone, the Deming Headlight reported.

Three of the four also were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana in a drug-free school zone, the Headlight reported.

"You conspired with one or more people to sell marijuana," Special Master Charles Kretek told the three facing additional charges at a hearing Tuesday.

All four -- three 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old, whose names weren't released -- were placed on house arrest, with none allowed to leave home except for doctor's appointments, court appearances or school, the Headlight reported.

But all four were suspended from school, and Kretek proposed placing them in a city/county/schools Intensive Disciplinary Intervention Program if they are readmitted to school, the paper said.

Other conditions of release include a ban from carrying any weapons, even a pocket knife; wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet; and making the parents responsible for their sons' following the rules of probation, according to the Headlight.

Any violation could send the boys back behind bars, the paper said.

Task force director Larry Lutonsky said agents responded to a call from the school and found some marijuana in 3- and 4-ounce packets, the Headlight reported.

If the boys are found guilty, penalties could range from probation to two years in a state facility, and Kretek told them that the system also provides for a 15-day evaluation to determine whether they could be released to their homes, the paper said.

One of the students arrested Monday also has uncompleted community-service time, according to the Headlight.

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