Michael Brewer arrested on drug charges

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- The South Florida teen who was once set on fire by a group of classmates is facing some trouble of his own.

Michael Brewer, 18, was taken into custody in West Palm Beach Wednesday night after police officers found drugs on him. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, including marijuana, cocaine, Oxycontin, a morphine prescription bottle and 14 glass smoking pipes.

Brewer posted $6,000 bond Thursday after facing a judge in court. "He'll be able to get out today and go home and live with his parents and on condition that he obviously, no alcohol or drugs and has to get randomly tested," said his attorney, Steve Benedict.

When the judge asked Brewer whether he would rather walk out on his own cognizance and submit to monitoring and regular drug testing, the teen chose to post bond instead.

Back in 2009, Brewer was doused with alcohol and then set on fire by several classmates. He survived by leaping into a nearby pool.

Brewer, then 15 years old, suffered severe burns to over two-thirds of his body. Burn scars were still visible in the back of his arms and legs as the teen, now sporting a faux-hawk, walked out of jail Thursday afternoon. He refused to comment to waiting reporters.

Wednesday, one of the co-defendants in the case, Denver Jarvis, had his sentence reduced. A judge approved lowering the probationary period to 10 years. He still has to serve all eight years in prison.

Brewer's mother and grandmother were in court for Jarvis' hearing. They spoke to 7News about Michael. "This has just been hard on the family dealing with coming to court, coming to court and coming to court, and we made it through all of that," said his grandmother, Reenie Brewer, "and Michael is OK and is coming along, even though he has a rough road to come yet. But, you know, karma, you never know when she's going to visit."

During a phone interview with 7News, Reenie said her grandson has been going to therapy but that he was still "closed off."

"He's trying to find himself and it's been really difficult, and he has a long way to go," said Michael's mother, Valerie Brewer. "Physically, he still has limitations, but mentally he has a long way to go. He really does. He still wakes up with nightmares, and he's still having a lot of trouble dealing with the fact that people that he knew did this to him."

When asked whether Brewer was on drugs, a relative remained behind her screen door as she replied, "No, no, not at all, that's why it was so shocking." The teen will be back in court in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, the other two suspects in the case, Matthew Bent and Jesus Mendez, were sentenced to 11 years in prison.

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