COPS: Former student tries to frame classmate in revenge plot

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - A plot to get revenge on a Clearwater High School student backfired, landing an 18-year-old former student in jail, police said Thursday.

James Harrison is accused of breaking into a car belonging to a 17-year-old student August 31 and placing inside the vehicle a .38-caliber revolver, a hunting knife and a bag containing 52 grams of marijuana. The gun's serial number had been scratched off, detectives said.

Investigators told FOX 13 police and Crime Stoppers they received a call from someone who gave them the victim's name and said she was going to be involved in a drug deal.

The victim told police she had no idea where the items came from.

"Obviously if you're just a regular student and you somehow find marijuana, a gun and a knife in your car that doesn't belong to you, you're probably a little bit overwhelmed and we were able to piece together what happened," said Rob Shaw, a spokesperson for Clearwater police.

Police eventually traced the items back to Harrison. Detectives said he admitted to everything but detectives are still not sure why he did it or what his relationship is to the victim.

Harrison is charged with armed burglary, trespassing on school property with a gun, removing the weapon's serial number and possession of marijuana.

FOX 13 went to Harrison's home, but no one answered the door.