On a recent Wednesday, a 24-year-old teacher at Lake Central High School in Saint John, Indiana, was arrested for multiple drug-related charges. The English teacher was allegedly caught on a cellphone video snorting what is reportedly cocaine in her classroom. The video was taken by a student at Lake Central, who then — with other students — told the principal what they had allegedly witnessed.
The teacher has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with possession of cocaine and possession of paraphernalia.
Police brought a K-9 officer into the woman’s classroom, where the dog allegedly alerted to possible illegal substances in the teacher’s desk. The drawer was unlocked by the principal and police reportedly found “a clear tightly twisted bag with multiple small rolled up pieces of tin foil …outer plastic wrap from a cigarette package …a rolled up small piece of paper,” according to court records.
The woman was arrested and she turned over her car keys to police. She told them where the vehicle was parked. A glass pipe, two straws created from rolled up paper, empty pieces of tin foil and torn open plastic baggies were reportedly found in the vehicle when police searched it.
Court records further state, “[The teacher} advised she normally purchases her (drugs) after school but was feeling sick and needed to get some.” In addition, the records state that the woman said she was not able to snort any of the drugs before school began, so she brought the drugs inside with her. She used the drugs in her classroom while she was on break and was able to lock her classroom door. The woman allegedly told police she had been using drugs for about four years — ever since her first year of college.
Later reports by the school district say that an investigation determined that the teacher did not purchase or get the drugs from a student. The school board is now considering random drug testing for teachers and staff; however, cost could be an issue.
Those who find themselves charged with a drug crime need to know their rights. The penalties can be severe for drug-related charges, but there are possible defense options that an attorney can explain.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Charges filed against Lake Central teacher accused of snorting drugs in class,” Meredith Colias and Becky Jacobs, Nov. 28, 2017