Detroit Teacher/Coach Arrested For Drug Possession
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's a story heard first on WWJ Newsradio 950: a Detroit school teacher and coach has been arrested for drug possession.
Robert Earl Hatchett Jr., who is seventh-grade math teacher at Paul Robeson Academy and a basketball coach at Detroit Central High, has been charged with felony possession with intent to deliver heroin.
The 41-year old Southfield resident was arrested the morning of January 26 after a traffic stop on I-94 near Battle Creek.
Police allegedly found 100 grams of heroin in his SUV, along with more than $22,500 in cash that was stuffed inside of trophy boxes in the vehicle.
DPS spokesman Steve Wasko confirmed that Hatchett has been placed on administrative leave.
"The Inspector General will conduct the investigation as he would for any allegations of wrongdoing," Wasko told WWJ's City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas.
"I would say, of course, that if any employee, especially one in such close contact with children on a daily basis, a teacher or a coach, is found to have been involved in illegal enterprises -- we will always have zero tolerance for such activity," Wasko said.
Hatchett was supposed to coach Detroit Central's game Tuesday night, but an assistant instead led the team. He coached the AAU Boys Basketball National Championship team in 2009.
He remains free on bond. A preliminary hearing that was set for Wednesday has been rescheduled to a later date not yet determined.
