Pubdate: 23 Mar 1999
Source: United Press International
Copyright: 1999 United Press International

PINELLAS TEACHER BUSTED ON DRUG CHARGES

SEMINOLE, Fla. March 23 (UPI) - A 29-year-old Pinellas County teacher is
facing drug charges after a police dog found cocaine in the teacher's
lounge at Osceola Middle School.

Investigators say Sofia Forte, who has been placed on paid leave from her
job, was afraid the drug-sniffing canine would find the cocaine during
Parent's Night, so she hid the drugs in the lounge.

She is accused of having about a gram of powder cocaine and a straw coated
with cocaine residue.

Forte's arrest marked the first time a Pinellas County teacher has been
accused of having drugs on campus. 
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