The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A middle school teacher in Louisiana was arrested after a K9 reportedly sniffed out what was believed to be narcotics in her belongings during a random drug check on campus.
Random drug checks have become increasingly common on some middle school and high school campuses. During these unscheduled checks, K9s often walk around the inside of the building and on the grounds, in addition to inspecting lockers and backpacks. On September 16, the authorities performed a check at Westdale Middle School in Baton Rouge, and a 47-year-old math intervention teacher was implicated in multiple drug offenses during the drug-dog sweep.
According to reports, the K9 reacted when interacting with her bag, and when her wallet was checked, the police reportedly retrieved a small amount of a white, powdery substance that they surmised was cocaine. When they tested it, they reported positive results. The woman talked to the police about the situation without an attorney present, and she told them it was not hers. Officers searched her vehicle, and they reported that they discovered a bag in the glove compartment. When they checked the contents, they allegedly found half a gram of marijuana, .8 gram of cocaine, and paraphernalia.
The woman, who has been a teacher for at least ten years, was taken into custody and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail. She is facing preliminary charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and violation of controlled dangerous substances in a school zone. According to records, she was released after posting a bond. The East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System said they are following their policies and procedures to deal with the situation.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a drug offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.