School janitor arrested for meth: Rogers arrested at West Elementary

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

ROGERS

A school custodian was arrested Wednesday at West Elementary School for allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab in his home on Mauzy Street where he resided with his two young children.

The suspect, Devin G. Rogers, 36, is charged with manufacture of meth and is free under $10,000 bond awaiting preliminary hearing. His children have been removed and placed in the custody of his parents.

Rogers was arrested at his place of employment at West Elementary by police Wednesday afternoon. His children, who were with him, were removed upon his arrest. School was not in session at the time he was taken into custody.

Rogers was arrested after police executed a search warrant on his house while he was at work. Police reported finding several items commonly used in the production of meth during the search, which was brought about after police received a tip he was producing the illegal narcotic. Neighbors also told police they had noticed Rogers losing weight recently. Loss of weight is one of the many side effects of the drugs.

Rogers reportedly admitted to producing the illegal drug when questioned, but noted his live-in girlfriend was not part of his illegal enterprise. She has not been charged.

The arrest is the second of a Warren County school employee in the past two months for methamphetamine. In June, veteran high school teacher Rhonda Jones was arrested after lawmen reportedly found a meth lab in an outbuilding on her property. Jones, a 25-year veteran of the school system who was working as a special education instructor, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of her case which is set to go before the grand jury.

Rogers, who has been an employee with the school system for a couple of years, remains in limbo as administrators decide his fate.

Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale said he is awaiting word from law officials as to the specifics of the case. Hale said Rogers would likely be suspended pending the outcome of his case.

Given the recent arrests of school employees on meth charges, Hale said he is seeing a disturbing trend in the community.

“It’s alarming the amount of the drugs we’re seeing in this community,” Hale said. “Everyone who we employee now must undergo a TBI background check, but like any other aspect of society, we don’t know what people will do.”

There are no allegations Rogers brought drugs onto school grounds.