SOUTH BEND, Ind. — REAL News Michiana has uncovered a report and bodycam footage showing a security officer for the South Bend Community School Corporation’s Rise Up Academy High School turning in a table full of weapons, drugs and bullets to the South Bend Police Department. All of the contraband and illegal items, he claims, were collected by him during the previous school year. While there are many problems with the incident, the security officer himself is a convicted felon and committed a federal offense by handling the bullets himself. A short incident report from the call can be seen below.
“Brown took me to a room with a table that had contraband items the school had confiscated from students during the prior school year. Brown stated the administration does not want any students who had possessed these items identified and just wanted police to turn in the items as found property.” The report says, in part.
The incident, which happened on May 28th, was also captured on police officer Bodycam video. The video shows Security Officer Greg Brown escorting an officer into the room with the contraband. When they get inside he asks the officer “What do you think? Think I did a pretty good job?”
Brown then says, “I search every kid that come in here.”
Brown then proceeds to tell the responding officer what has been done with items confiscated from students in past years.
“Normally what they do at the end of the year is take the stuff that’s illegal and then cigarette lighters and that, I throw them in the trash.” Brown told the officer.
The officer goes on to explain there would be more he could do if the people who were committing the crimes were present. He also seems to express concern that police weren’t called when the items were initially discovered.
“It would be different if we got the person that had the pill bottle with him.” The officer said, regarding a pill bottle that had been used to carry marijuana, according to Brown.
“You see, all this, I take it all year long.” Brown said to the officer. “And then send a bag with the student’s name on it. But, they didn’t want the student’s name out there. So, they be wanting me to take it down as found property. But, I have their names (inaudible) all of that.” Brown explained.
“We’re the restorative justice school, the first time we’ll take it, confiscate it and call your parent.” Brown said about the policy of the school.
Video of the incident can be seen below.
Brown, 58, spent more than 10 years in federal prison in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. He was convicted on three violent crime charges; 1) Conspiracy to commit Robbery, Use of Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Transportation of Stolen Goods 2) Obstruction by Robbery 3) Using or Carrying a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence. Those charges stemmed from a robbery in the Indianapolis area.
RNM was able to track down the docket sheet detailing the charges and convictions (those documents can be seen below). The federal clerk’s office could not find the criminal complaint containing the narrative and details of the crimes. RNM is attempting to get those narratives from federal archives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
A school district spokesperson previously told RNM the following regarding Brown’s employment.
“We conducted a background check prior to him starting in 2015, but there was nothing indicated that would disqualify him from employment. On his application, he disclosed ‘conspiracy interstate trafficking of jewelry October 24, 1992.’ According to the background check, a Criminal Trespass charge was dismissed in 1991. A charge of Battery (a misdemeanor) remained, but was more than 10 years before his application.”
RNM reached back out to the school district today asking the following questions. As of publication, we have not received a response.
There are two concerns here: 1) Why weren’t the police called when these crimes were being committed? Why is the school aiding and abetting criminals? 2) Is the district aware that it is a federal offense for a felon to handle/possess bullets? Mr. Brown is a convicted armed robber.
RNM has reached out to federal authorities to provide them with the information we uncovered.
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