Pubdate: Wed, 22 Sep 1999
Source: Saint Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
Copyright: 1999 St. Paul Pioneer Press
Contact:  http://www.pioneerplanet.com/
Forum: http://www.pioneerplanet.com/watercooler/
Author: Mary Divine, Staff Writer

WOODBURY COACH IS FACING ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA CHARGES 

Allegations Come After Traffic Stop

An assistant football coach and social studies teacher at Woodbury
High School is facing three misdemeanor charges for possessing
marijuana and drug paraphernalia and having an open beer can in his
car during a routine police stop in Woodbury earlier this month.

Douglas Reed Johnson, 50, of Woodbury, was stopped by police Sept. 11
after he failed to stop at a stop sign while turning from Tower Drive
onto Radio Drive, according to police reports.

A police officer observed an open can of Miller High Life between
Johnson's feet on the floor of the car. When Johnson exited the car,
the officer saw a wooden "Dugout" box that officers say is commonly
used to hold marijuana.

According to police reports, a gram of marijuana, a metal smoking pipe
and a lighter were found in the box.

Johnson told police he had been attending a 25-year celebration for
the Woodbury High School football team. He reportedly asked the
officer if "there was a way around the citations" as he was a high
school teacher and football coach and "the charges would be very
embarrassing to him." He said he did not normally drink and that his
behavior was "unusual for him."

He was not found to have been driving while intoxicated and was not
arrested, but he was issued three citations at the scene, said Tom
Weidner, one of the city's prosecutors.

Johnson must now appear in court in Cottage Grove on the charges of
having an open bottle, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession
of small amount of marijuana in a motor vehicle, Weidner said.

Johnson, who is also the head coach for mixed golf at Woodbury High
School, has been employed at the high school since 1975, said Jonathan
Reppe, general counsel for the South Washington County School District
833. Johnson has also been an assistant basketball and tennis coach at
the school, he said.

Reppe said the school district did not learn of the charges until
Monday. The district is now conducting an investigation, which is
expected to take about a week, he said. Johnson continues to teach.

Under state statute, Johnson could face discipline -- including
possible discharge -- if he is found to have "behaved in a manner that
would be conduct unbecoming a teacher," Reppe said.   If a student
athlete had been found in a similar situation, Reppe said he or she
would immediately be suspended from play, but added that that does not
apply to coaches. "There is a double standard there perhaps," he said.

Johnson had no previous incidents in his file, he said.
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