***READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED***
Posts about real school tragedy, crime and/or events can be upsetting.
When a school employee or other public service employee is arrested for illegal activities most people are disappointed and shocked. I know I continue to be saddened by the cases I research. If only there were a way to vet applicants so as to hire the very best.
Thank you for taking time from your busy life to read and learn about school news that often doesn’t make ‘the news.’
BLOG POST #104: This week, I’m sharing research on a specific criminal case involving a high school special education teacher.
I’ve never known a heroin addict. After researching this case, I wondered…Was his drug use not noticeable?
And Then There Was One
A student found a syringe on the restroom floor. He gave the syringe to a teacher’s aide. The school notified local authorities and a criminal investigation ensued.
At the beginning of the investigation, there were three teachers under suspicion. It was when the  K-9 narcotics officer began searching the school and detected drugs in the teacher’s backpack that he became the single suspect.
He was in his mid-30s and taught special education at the high school level.
The Dog Knows
His backpack which was in the classroom, on the floor next to his desk.
Officers found in the backpack, 125 packets of heroin, syringes, pills, and other paraphernalia.
Under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, he never returned to the classroom.
The judge didn’t believe the personal use admission and said to the teacher, “That’s a tremendous amount of narcotics in your possession, in your classroom, in your bag, right by your desk.”
He denied selling narcotics but admitted to being a heroin addict and claimed all the heroin in his possession was for personal use.
Was The Sentence Appropriate?
There wasn’t enough evidence to prove distribution. The ex-teacher accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to third-degree possession of a controlled and dangerous substance.
The court sentenced no jail time; instead, he’ll serve four years of probation, 100 hours of community service and undergo regular drug testing.
Eight years after issuance, he relinquished his teaching certificates and began working in a hotel restaurant.
The judge commended the student who found the syringe as, “Bright and responsible.”
If you found this case interesting, you’ll also want to read a similar case: Chasing the Dragon
What do you think about this case? Join the conversation on the website. We talk about the sensitive subject of crimes occurring at or connected to schools. Your relevant comments are always welcome on the Research Blog.
Do you know of a school crime you’d like to share? Email me so we can discuss the details.
Thanks for reading!
-Robin
Find out what Mac MacKenna is up to in
UNKNOWN THREAT and MAC
Both Available at Amazon
MAC is FREE when you join the School News Reader Club
2 thoughts on “The Teacher On A Downward Spiral Of Addiction”