Detectives arrested a Collier County Public Schools teacher on fentanyl and cocaine possession charges after co-workers discovered narcotics in his classroom at Lely High School on Thursday, April 7.
They took Christopher D. Toukonen, 44, into custody and booked him into the Collier County jail on the felony charges after they recovered a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine from his backpack.
He is also charged with possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
“Thanks to the swift actions of school staff and our deputies and detectives, this situation was addressed immediately,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “I commend everyone involved for their handling of this situation.”
School administrators took immediate action after being notified of suspected narcotics use by Toukonen while he was alone in the classroom. No students were present. During a search of his backpack, school staff found the narcotics and contacted the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
Youth Relations Bureau deputies and Vice and Narcotics Bureau detectives responded immediately, investigated and interviewed Toukonen.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Toukonen’s classroom and his vehicle parked on the school campus and did not turn up any additional narcotics.
Toukonen was the head football coach at Palmetto Ridge for seven seasons, from 2015-2021. He compiled a 40-30 record, including the school’s first undefeated regular-season in 2020.
His tenure ended shortly after a 5-game suspension was reduced to three by the FHSAA in 2021 after he was ejected for arguing a call at the conclusion of a 38-34 loss to Barron Collier on Sept. 3. In a report sent to the FHSAA, the game official wrote that after the game Toukonen sprinted to where the officials would be so he could argue a penalty call. The reason for Toukonen’s suspension was “pursuit of officials with intent after the game,” which is Level 2 unsportsmanlike conduct.
The investigation continues.
Chad Oliver told the News-Press in a comment regarding the incident that Collier County Public Schools has “initiated the termination process” and “is cooperating fully with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.”
“The alleged conduct does not reflect the values or expectations of CCPS,” the comment stated.
The principal of Lely High School, Jennifer Bledsoe, also communicated the same statement to parents prior to student dismissal today, Oliver said.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Detectives find drugs in Lely High classroom, arrest teacher Chris Toukonen
Reporting by Stacey Henson and Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
