Teacher Tamara Allen Faces Federal Drug Charges

(South Lake Tahoe, California) In December 2007, a fourth-grade teacher at Bijou Community School, Tamara Allen, 42, and her home partner, Christopher Liller, 34, were arrested for allegedly cultivating and distributing marijuana. Police found 100 marijuana plants, over two pounds of processed marijuana, and $1,400 cash in the home the couple shares.

Allen and Liller were charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and, additionally, destruction of evidence because the two were trying to destroy their garden when officers approached. Furthermore, Liller is allegedly linked to a drug ring along with his two brothers.

Both Allen and Liller were booked and each released on $35,000 bail.

In the latest development in the case, the charges against Allen and Liller in El Dorado County have been dismissed. In lieu of state criminal proceedings, Allen and Liller will face federal charges.

In Sacramento, federal felony charges of marijuana possession and conspiracy to manufacture marijuana with the intent to distribute have been filed against Allen and Liller. They pleaded not guilty and were released on $50,000 bail each.

If convicted, each charge carries a possible 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.