A North Carolina high school teacher is facing charges after authorities said she was caught trying to deal drugs near her workplace, according to court records viewed by NewsPlop.
Jocelyn McArthur, who works at Overhills High School in Spring Lake, was arrested March 26, records show.
McArthur, 33, teaches math at the school, WRAL reported.
An arrest warrant obtained by Us states that McArthur “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did knowingly possess with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver controlled substance (marijuana) within 100 feet” of Overhills High School.
McArthur was found to have drug paraphernalia, including a scale, a marijuana grinder and rolling papers, as well as “extracted resin of marijuana” and hashish, according to her arrest warrant.
She was also discovered to have a taser on school grounds, according to authorities, WRAL reported.
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McArthur’s court-appointed defense attorney did not immediately return a request for comment from Us on Wednesday, April 1.
McArthur is facing charges including a felony drug possession offense near a school, a misdemeanor marijuana paraphernalia possession offense, and more, court records show.
Overhills High School is a part of Harnett County Schools.
“We take matters related to student and staff safety seriously,” a district spokesperson said in a statement to WRAL. “We’re following established district procedures in addressing this matter.”
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“Harnett County Schools remains committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment,” the statement added.
The superintendent of Harnett County Schools, W. Brooks Matthews, did not immediately return a request for comment.
One of McArthur’s former co-workers who spoke with WRAL said that McArthur “reeked of marijuana every single day” and “her classroom reeked of marijuana every single day.”
“This is nothing new,” McArthur’s former colleague, who was not identified by name, told the TV station. “This has been an ongoing situation.”
McArthur’s first court appearance was held via video on Friday, March 27, records show. She is due in court next for a disposition hearing set for April 14.
She had her bond set for $100,000 in connection with her drug charges, according to court records.
McArthur has worked at Overhills High School for five years, WNCN reported.
Recreational marijuana use is legal in 24 U.S. states as of March 1, according to the federal government. This does not include marijuana.
The state, however, does allow products with “hemp extracts” that contain a small amount of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.