PIKEVILLE, Ky. (EKB) – A teacher in Pike County has been suspended following a recent DUI arrest.
According to EKB, 38-year-old Joshua Preece, of Kimper, was stopped by Kentucky State Police Friday morning for an alleged seatbelt violation. Court documents said police detected a strong odor of marijuana in Preece’s vehicle. Preece also allegedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the morning.
A jar containing marijuana was also found in his vehicle.
Police say that Preece, who is a social studies teacher at Pike Central High School, failed field sobriety tests and was arrested on charges including DUI and possession of marijuana. He was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.
Pike County Schools Superintendent Reed Adkins said Preece has been suspended without pay pending an investigation. Adkins said he does not anticipate Preece returning to the classroom before the end of the current school year.
Adkins added that the school district has a “zero-tolerance policy” regarding drug use by school district employees.
Court documents said Preece was released from custody on his own recognizance following his arrest. His arrest citation said he declined a blood test, saying he did not want any results of his blood on record.
Preece is due in court Tuesday morning.
