Clewiston substitute teacher arrested following drug-sales sting
Laura Ruane
A teacher at Clewiston Middle School was arrested Friday on several drug-related charges, following a sting operation.
As of Saturday morning, Maria Otilla Rivera-Magana was being held in the Hendry County Jail. A judge has set bond at $100,500.
According to Hendry County Sheriff’s Office:
School Resource Officer Chad Pelham arrested Rivera-Magana, 35, after leaving the middle school.
On Dec. 1, emergency room medical personnel had reported to Pelham that two middle school students had complained of being ill and reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana they’d purchased from a full-time substitute school teacher at Clewiston Middle School.
Pelham began investigating. Following consultations with school administration and the sheriff’s office narcotics division, arrangements were made to attempt a purchase from the teacher.
On Friday, Dec. 8, Rivera-Magana was arrested on several charges, including: two counts of possession of a synthetic drug, with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school; two counts of possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of school; two counts possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a school; two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor; and two counts of neglect of a child.
The sheriff’s office said additional criminal charges are pending.
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