W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 144, NO. 8
THIS WEEK Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About A3 & A5
Honoring Black History Month A8
SBHS Student Alexander Mattison earns scholarship and signs with D-1 Boise State
Teach er arrested for al leged molestation of San Dieg o boy
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By Anthony Victoria
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By Anthony Victoria
s of April 1, the Riverside-San County Bernardino Indian Health, Inc. (RSBCIHI) will cease providing health care services to indirect descendants of California Natives.
Detectives say Drake--who teaches English at Colton High-drove to San Diego to pick up the young boy and molested him in Drake’s home. He was released on Saturday after posting $100,00 bail, according to court documents.
PHOTO/SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
Colton High School teacher Lucas Drake has been accused of molesting a 15-year-old San Diego boy.
Montoya wrote that persons who are cousins, nephews, or aunts of Indians and not related by blood are not direct descendants. RSBCIHI administration did not return repeated calls for comment.
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In December the RSBCIHI board made the decision to efficiently serve Indian communities--including at a nearby Grand Terrace facility--by terminating services to those who are not direct descendants. According to an official statement, those who want to remain receiving services must prove that they are direct descendants of Indians by providing a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), a tribal membership card from a federally-recognized Indian tribe, or other documents demonstrating that one is a direct relative.
“The Directors have concluded that ‘Indian descent’ means persons who are direct descendants of Indians, for example, a child, a grandchild, or great grandchild of an Indian,” said RSBCIHI chief executive officer Jess Montoya in a Dec 1 letter sent out to clinic patients.
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to the San According Bernardino County Sheriff’s department, Lucas Michael Drake, 36, was arrested on Thursday February 4 by detectives at his home in Yucaipa, after they learned he solicited sex from the young San Diego resident.
Molestation cont. on next page
February 11, 2016
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Colton High School teacher was taken into custody, and later released on bail, for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old boy.
On Thursday the Colton Joint Unified School District published a statement on social media assuring residents that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
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PHOTO/PEPPERBOUGH
Lucas Drake, 36, teachers English and is a Yearbook advisor at Colton High School.
Some Native Americans, such as Catherine Copetillo of Highland, said the decision should not affect older benefactors, as many are fully dependant on services.
“It’s not right to vote us out,” Clinic cont. on next page