Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Suspected ‘White Power’ Group Member Arrested

An 18-year-old youth suspected of belonging to a “white power” group involved in several racially motivated fights with students at Canyon High School was arrested Tuesday as he drove near the campus.

Jace Edwards of Canyon Country was taken into custody by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies shortly after noon several blocks from the school, said Deputy John Hudson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and possessing a deadly weapon. Two knifes and “a couple of other instruments that could be used as clubs” were found in his car, Hudson said.

Edwards is in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Deputies said Edwards may have been involved in two fights near the school grounds May 10 that involved between 20 to 30 students. The incidents apparently were sparked by the white power group when its members confronted a group of white, black and Latino students.

Investigators said witnesses told them Edwards is one of numerous people involved, although his possible role in the brawls is unknown.

“That doesn’t mean he was there, but he’s been mentioned to us and could be possibly involved,” Hudson said.

The white power group--possibly consisting of skinheads, Neo-Nazis or other white supremacy sympathizers--is made up mostly of non-students, according to authorities.

Edwards is not a student at Canyon High School.

No serious injuries resulted from the disputes, but sheriff’s deputies showed up in force the following day to prevent a rumored large-scale fight from occurring. Hudson said deputies have been patrolling the campus in small numbers since then, although no rumors of pending fights have been heard.

Hudson said deputies have no other suspects at present in connection with the campus fights, which remain under investigation.