Teacher Has Meth in Classroom

(Los Lunas, New Mexico) In March 2006, a 37-year-old first-grade teacher at Valencia Elementary School, Joanna Chavez, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine on school grounds with intent to distribute. Chavez was booked into custody with bond set at $200,000.

In November 2006, Chavez was arrested in another incident after police found her carrying two bags of meth at a car wash.

Yesterday, Chavez pleaded guilty to one felony count of possession of meth with intent to distribute and to a felony count of possession of a controlled substance after charges from her two arrests were consolidated. Her guilty plea came the week before her trial was scheduled to start.

At sentencing, yet to be scheduled, Chavez faces a possible four and one-half years in prison.