A middle school teacher in Minnesota is facing drug charges after law enforcement said they found marijuana plants on her property in Farmington. The physical education teacher works for the Prior Lake-Savage School District. The teacher has been charged with felony counts for possessing a controlled substance. She is also facing a petty misdemeanor charge for drug paraphernalia possession.
The Dakota County Drug Task Force said they found 47 marijuana plants in her greenhouse. They also found marijuana seeds, a scale, wooden pipes, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. The marijuana plants were 550 grams, according to the task force.
Agents from the task force spoke to the defendant after the search. She admitted that she knew there were marijuana plants on the property and that she used marijuana for medical reasons. The defendant said that the other seeds and items in greenhouse were not hers.
The teacher was placed on medical leave this fall. The school district said the teacher will placed on administrative leave depending on the outcome of the charges. Drug possession charges can result in very serious consequences including prison time. Drug offenders can face several years in prison, be required to receive drug treatment as well as pay fines.
In this case, the teacher is not likely to serve any time in prison because she would be a first-time offender if she is convicted. Even though she may not serve time in prison, she could still have to pay fines and receive drug treatment.
This case shows that first-time drug offenders can face a variety of punishments. The penalties for drug crimes depend on the severity of the offense as well as the judge’s discretion. That is why it is important to seek a criminal defense attorney as soon as you are being investigated for a drug offense to protect your rights and see what options are available to avoid serving time in prison.
Source: Duluth News Tribune, “Minnesota middle school gym teacher faces drug charges,” Pat Pheifer, Dec. 20, 2013
