Wake Kindergarten Teacher Faces Drug Charges

Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County kindergarten teacher faces drug charges after a man died at her home and Raleigh police said they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Police said 34-year-old Tracey Myers, a kindergarten teacher at Hunter Elementary School, was arrested at her home New Year's Day.

Police had received a call to Myers' north Raleigh home on Lostwood Lane on Monday morning. According to a search warrant obtained in the investigation, Myers' boyfriend, 35-year-old Jamey Conley, a local real-estate agent, was in cardiac arrest when they arrived. He later died.

While inside the house, police said, they found cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Myers was charged with one count each of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was released on $5,700 bond.

Parents were surprised to learn about the case as school reopened following the holiday break.

Charlona Walston's 6-year-old son is in Myers' class.

"I would have never had expected anything like this from her," said Walston.

Another mother who did not want to be identified said that she was disappointed with Myers' attendance record and performance and was working with the school principal to get her child transferred out of the class. A third parent who also did not want to talk on camera said, "The kids really loved the teacher, but she wasn't the best."

Several other parents said that Myers had three young children and was in the middle of getting a divorce.

Hunter Elementary had not yet notified parents about the arrest.

According to a Wake County Public School System spokesperson, Myers has been suspended with pay pending a personnel review.

Walston says the arrest shouldn't overshadow the school's good reputation.

"One bad apple can't spoil the whole bunch. My child is still learning. It hasn't impacted his learning, and as far as the other kids, their learning hasn't been affected either," said Walston.

WRAL spoke with Myers over the phone, but she declined to comment.