A Springdale School District teacher was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of growing marijuana plants in his backyard.
Michael Perez-Guerra, 30, was arrest in connection with manufacturing marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. He remained in the Washington County Detention Center on Wednesday on $2,500 bond.
Perez-Guerra, of Elkins, is a math teacher at Springdale’s Alternate Learning Environment, a specialized school geared toward students who need extra help to graduate from high school.
The Elkins Police Department received a complain about Perez-Guerra possibly having marijuana in his backyard.
When officers arrived at the home, police could see a three-foot marijuana plant with buds growing in the yard, according to a preliminary arrest report.
Officers executed a search warrant and found more than 21 grams of marijuana in the home. They also found a closet in a hallway that had been converted into a small grow room. The closet held two potted marijuana plants and grow lights, the report states.
Perez-Guerra was not in school Wednesday. Springdale School District administrators could not say whether he would attend school Thursday.
Administrators will decide how to proceed after reviewing all the facts, said Rick Schaeffer, the district’s communications director.
Perez-Guerra’s pay has not been suspended during the reviewing period.
Perez-Guerra and Karen Willard, the other person living at the home, were arrested at the scene.
Willard faces the same charges and bond amount as Perez-Guerra. She also remained in the Washington County Detention Center on Wednesday.
