October 21, 2008 - Milton Tyson, 39, a Lee High School spec
ial education teacher for more than 10 years, was arrested on several charges that included selling counterfeit items to students and possession of marijuana.
Police say when they stopped him, they found a van full of counterfeit merchandise, a small amount of marijuana and a loaded pistol. Although he has a permit for the weapon, he did not have the permit on him. Huntsville Police may pursue additional federal charges through the Alabama Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms
As for the counterfeit items:
"We believe that he had a connection in New York. That he was having it sent through the mail, and we have records that show that he had been doing this for a long period of time. Maybe even up as far as two years ago," said Sgt. Roberts.PRIOR ARRESTS
There's a bigger issue at hand, though.
"We do know that students were buying from Mr. Tyson, yes," said Sgt. Roberts.
WHNT Ch 19's Amber Stuart followed up on the story to ask "Do Teachers Need More Background Checks?"
They found out that Tyson hasn't had a background check since 2005. Since then, he has had several brushes with the law. He was arrested in March for menacing. In September, he pleaded guilty to that crime. This Tuesday, when news broke of the Lee High crimes, he was expected in court for another crime, an assault dating back to May of this year. He was also arrested for criminal trespassing in 2006. That case against him was dropped.
The school was not notified of the arrests. (Nor, apparently, is their any requirement that the teacher notify the district or the state Department of Education of misdemeanor or felony arrests.)
