Teacher's assistant accused of selling heroin near Johnston high school

A Smithfield teacher's assistant accused of selling heroin near a Johnston County high school was arrested Wednesday on drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Attorney General's Office said Wednesday.

Winston Antonio Evans, 29, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on four counts of knowingly and intentionally distributing heroin and one count of possession of a firearm.

Authorities said that the alleged offenses happened between Feb. 22 and March 15.

One of the accusations alleges that Evans distributed heroin either "in, on or within 1,000 feet" of Smithfield-Selma High School in Smithfield.

A Johnston County Schools spokeswoman said Evans was placed Wednesday on paid suspension from Smithfield-Selma, where he has worked since the district hired him in April 2008.

The district said no students or other staff members were involved in the case.