Polk teacher one of two Tryon women arrested on drug charges
Published 3:18 pm Friday, October 2, 2009
Debra ConstanceKaren WilliamsConstance, 44, and Williams, 57, were arrested and charged with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of intent to sell and deliver marijuana, according to the sheriff&39;s office. Both charges are felonies, according to the arrest report.
Capt. Chadd Murray of the Polk County Sheriff&squo;s Office says the women were charged following the interception of a mail delivery in Spartanburg County that contained a package with two ounces of hashish addressed to Williams at the women&39;s address in Tryon.
Constance was at the home when the package was delivered and signed for it, according to Murray. Officers also found marijuna in the home after a consent to search was given by Constance, according to sheriff&squo;s office reports.
Both women were released from the sheriff&squo;s office on a $5,000 secured bond. A probable cause hearing is being scheduled in the next couple of weeks, according to the sheriff&squo;s office.
Constance is a second grade teacher at Tryon Elementary School and was named Teacher of the Year last year.
Jim Patterson of Polk County Schools, said the school system is aware of the arrest and is in the initial stages of its own investigation, so no disciplinary actions have been taken against&bsp; Constance.
According to officers, Constance said she was not aware of what was in the package. The package was delivered from California, say officers.