Tampa Teacher Arrested on Drug Charges

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Keith Jones, a sixth-grade teacher at Davidsen Middle School in Tampa, after he allegedly tried to buy methamphetamine from an undercover detective. Jones was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine.

Law enforcement reports alleged that Jones brought $4,000 to buy about 58 grams (about 2 ounces) of methamphetamine from the undercover officer. The transaction purportedly occurred at Fletcher Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway after school hours and involved a quantity of drugs which exceeds what police say an addict would buy for personal use – thus, the trafficking charge instead of a simple possession charge.

Media reports indicate that Jones teaches several subjects at Davidsen and has been suspended with pay. Jones has been employed by the Hillsborough school district since 1997. He has taught at Greco Middle, Sulphur Springs Elementary, Madison Middle and Webb Middle, school district records show. From July 2005 through June 2006, he was an assistant principal at Webb, according to the school district.

Under Florida’s drug statutes, any person who knowingly sells, purchases, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, between 14 grams or more of methamphetamine faces a trafficking charge, which is a first degree felony. If the amount is between 28 and 200 grams, anyone convicted of trafficking faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of seven years and a $100,000 fine.

Florida’s law governing drug trafficking takes away almost all discretion from the sentencing judge, even if the defendant is a first-time offender. Prosecutors, however, have the power to waive the minimum mandatory prison sentence if the defendant cooperates with law enforcement in an investigation.

Because of the seriousness of mandatory sentences, it is very important to talk with an experienced Florida drug defense attorney if you face trafficking charges in the Tampa Bay area.