Oyster River School Board's student rep. faces violation charge

DURHAM — Oyster River's School Board student representative is facing a violation charge after allegedly trespassing at the Jackson Landing Ice Rink and running from police.

In the early morning hours Sunday, police arrested Cody Jacobsen, 17, of 97B Hayes Road in Madbury.

Durham police had allegedly seen the Oyster River junior and three others at the rink on Old Piscataqua Road just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"The officers went to investigate and they fled from the officers," said Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley.

Police said the four ran into the woods and at one point crossed over Route 4 when they allegedly attempted to evade police.

Officers arrested and charged Reed T. Guerino, 17, of 23 Laurel Lane, Durham with a violation charge of loitering.

Officers located others at 12:52 a.m. behind the Public Works building at Stone Quarry Drive. When approached by police, Jacobsen was asked not to move and complied with police.

He was arrested and charged with a violation level offense of loitering. Both Jacobsen and Guerino are scheduled to appear in Dover District Court on June 20 for arraignment.

The other two teens, aged under 17, were released to parents.

Kelley also said officers located some marijuana drug-related paraphernalia the teens may have left behind, but police are not charging either with anything.

"We're certainly not accusing any of them of possession of drug paraphernalia," he said.

With the Oyster River School Board, Jacobsen has been an outspoken member and an advocate for the students' rights. He helped organize the recent student walkout in opposition of the School Board's decision to reject a high school principal nomination.

"He is a very fine young man," said Superintendent Howard Colter. "He is very dependable and articulate."

Jacobsen has been nominated by his peers to continue on the School Board as the student representative for the coming school year. Colter said he does not believe if Jacobsen is convicted of the violation charge that it would cause the School Board to reconsider his position.

"I know very little about it," Colter said. "But it doesn't seem to raise to the level that would cause the Board to ask the students to bring forth another student representative."