Teacher accused of dealing drugs
A high school math teacher is accused of dealing methamphetamine and marijuana, but police said they have no evidence that the Durango High School employee was selling drugs to students.
Jeremy Smart, 29, was arrested on multiple drug charges after SWAT officers served a warrant at his home at about 7:30 a.m. Friday, Las Vegas police officer Jacinto Rivera said.
Smart came under suspicion while police were investigating a non-narcotics related case that is still ongoing, Rivera said.
Police seized some drugs at Smart's home, but Rivera said there is "no information or evidence at this time that he was selling drugs to children."
Smart's charges include trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and possession of marijuana with intent to sell. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center on $43,000 bail.
Citing the ongoing investigation, Clark County School District officials would not comment on the incident. Whenever serious allegations are made against an employee, the employee is put on paid leave until the investigation is completed, district spokesman Michael Rodriguez said.
District officials confirmed that Smart has been employed with the district since October 2005. Last year, Smart was paid $39,464 teaching math at Green Valley High School, 460 N. Arroyo Grande Blvd., near Warm Springs Road, according to district payroll records.
This was Smart's first year teaching at Durango, which is near Russell Road and Rainbow Boulevard in southwest Las Vegas. He was not a coach nor was he involved with student clubs, Rodriguez said.
Some students could not believe a man they saw in class on Thursday was behind bars on Friday.
"He was my teacher yesterday," said David Mills, 14, a freshman algebra student.
Victor Morales, 14, said Smart was a "pretty cool teacher" who wore rubber bands around his wrists.
But students also described Smart as a flighty teacher who could lose his train of thought while talking in class.
"He wouldn't make sense," Mills said.
Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug @reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917. Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.
