4 East Bay high school athletes accused of stealing drugs appear in court

MARTINEZ, Calif. (KGO) -- A large group of staunch supporters gathered to support four East Bay high school athletes accused of stealing drugs from a friend who is a drug dealer.

The four students were in court in Martinez Thursday to face charges.

The courtroom in Martinez was full of supporters. Parents, relatives and classmates all came out looking very distraught.

This was an arraignment where all four teens pleaded not guilty to robbery charges. One of them was also charged with using a firearm during the robbery.

According to the complaint, on April 9 the four of them went to this house on Rolling Woods Way in Concord to buy marijuana. They left and returned later, police say, to rob the 18-year-old drug dealer.

They were apparently wearing ski masks and one of them had a gun.

Three of the four teens play football for Clayton Valley High. One of them is an All-Star player. The fourth, James Dempsey, plays basketball.

Dempsey's mother Heather McClure spoke to ABC7 News.

"Anybody who has done anything in their teenage years, I'm sure regrets it at some point. I'm sure that they learn when they get caught," McClure said. "But he is a good man and he does have a soul.

Even though they are 17-years-old, they will be tried as adults. The district attorney made the case that the robbery was well planned and it was a serious crime.

There will be a bail hearing April 28 to determine if the bail can be reduced. In the meantime, the four teens remain in juvenile hall.