A routine traffic stop on March 6 led to a major Texas school superintendent being detained. The man, who has been superintendent of the Waco Independent School District since April 2017, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drugs. He was booked into Robertson County Jail, which is located in Franklin.

According to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson, the man was stopped by a trooper while traveling approximately 55 miles southeast of Waco on U.S. 190. The man was driving in a passing lane but was not passing other vehicles. A trooper pulled the man over for the alleged lane violation. Once the trooper approached the vehicle, he allegedly smelled marijuana. Upon searching the vehicle, less than 2 ounces of marijuana was found.

The man was held overnight for his alleged drug crime and then released the next morning. The school board is holding a special meeting to address the incident. The man had a five-year contract to serve as superintendent in Waco. Prior to being hired in the Waco school district, he served as superintendent in the Laredo Independent School District for eight years. He had been named Superintendent of the Year in 2014.

Possession and/or usage of less than 2 ounces of marijuana is illegal in Texas and subject to penalties up to 180 days in prison and fines up to $2,000. Drug crimes can also result in the suspension of a driver's license, which may affect employment and education. For first-time offenders, a lawyer might be able to help their client reduce their sentence to probation with mandatory drug treatment.