Posted by Rend Smith on May. 6, 2010 at 04:59 pm



Peaceoholics co-founder Ron Moten is denying allegations that his nonprofit group harbored three youths now suspected of murdering middle school principal Brian Betts.


The three teens--Sharif Lancaster, Deontra Gray, and Alante Saunders--had attended a Maryland retreat sponsored by Moten's organization, which aims to turn at-risk youths away from violence.


At the time of the retreat, which took place weeks before Betts' April 15 murder, the three suspects were wanted by police on a separate matter--having absconding from a juvenile rehabilitation center.


Their participation in the Peaceoholics' event has left the beleaguered organization vulnerable to yet more criticism.

But Moten says the group had no idea the youths were on the run. "If we would have known, we would have had them turn themselves in," he says.