A reading aide at an Arkansas intermediate school faces multiple drug charges stemming from the discovery of 5 pounds of commercial marijuana, according to the Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs.
Belinda Ann Stengel, 63, of Royal and Caden Anthony Beard, 29, of Hot Springs each face charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, records show.
Stengel also faces an additional charge of maintaining a drug premises.
The 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force conducted a controlled delivery to Stengel after commercial marijuana was found by a K-9 during a random package operation at UPS' location at 5501 Fourche Dam Pike in Little Rock, according to the newspaper. She signed for four packages addressed to "Austin, Thomas, Billy and Michael," the affidavit reads in part.
While executing a search warrant at the address listed on the packages — 309 Boulder Road in Royal — authorities found more marijuana, as well as loaded weapons, the Sentinel-Record reported.
Stengel is a paraprofessional at Lake Hamilton Intermediate School in Pearcy, about 15 miles west of Hot Springs, according to the school's website.
In a statement to the Sentinel-Record, Lake Hamilton Superintendent Steve Anderson said that Stengel “is not on campus at this time and as with all personnel matters, this will be handled according to policy and legal guidelines.”
As of Thursday, Stengel and Beard were not listed in the Garland County jail roster. Both were being held in lieu of $15,000 bond as of Wednesday, according to the newspaper.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
