Jefferson student arrested for carrying concealed weapon

Police arrested a Jefferson High School student Monday after he was found with a handgun.

Devonte Safforld, 16, of 1437 30th St. SE, faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon when the unloaded handgun was located in his backpack Monday afternoon, according to police.

“He just said that he grabbed his backpack in the morning and found it in there later,” said Sgt. Cristy Hamblin, a police spokeswoman.

Hamblin said a student told Associate Principal Chad Szabo about the gun and he notified the authorities around 1:10 p.m. Officer Jen Roberts, who was at Jefferson for her first day as the School Resource Officer, made the arrest.

“That's exactly what we want students to do,” Hamblin said. “Go tell a teacher, the principal or the SRO.”

Safforld was taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center. Carrying a concealed weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Students can earn $50 for tips that lead to the recovery of weapons, drugs or alcohol on school property through the Student Safety Line program. Started in 2001, the program applies to all high schools in the Cedar Rapids metro area, and is part of the CrimeStoppers program. The rewards are funded though private donations.

To be eligible for the reward, Hamblin said the student must mention the program when they tell school officials or police. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CR-CRIME.