Former Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charges

A former teacher in Ballard County has pleaded not guilty to theft and drug charges.

Court records show April Jewell, who worked until recently as a teacher at Ballard Memorial High School, pleaded not guilty before Judge Keith Myers Monday in Ballard County District Court to charges of theft of a controlled substance under $10,000 and not having a prescription in its proper container. The charges stem from allegations Jewell went to a home on May 2 and took 18 hydrocodone pills and nausea medication from bottles on the kitchen table.

According to the arrest citation obtained by open records request, Jewell admitted to police that she took the pills.

The school's principal Leslee Davis sent an email to parents shortly after Jewell's arrest, saying students who are working on certifications in Jewell's class will have access to their certifications, and will be able to finish all classes. Ballard County Schools Superintendent Casey Allen said the school is fully cooperating with the investigation.

A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for June 3.