The North Alabama Drug Task Force charged a man with a felony Wednesday following allegations that he possessed a “trafficking amount” of fentanyl during a high school basketball game.
Justin Omari Mitchell, 25, was working as a security guard Tuesday during a game at Grissom High School when NADTF agents arrested him without incident. Mitchell was charged with drug trafficking, drug sale near a school, and possession of a deadly weapon on school grounds.
Agents found a firearm and a trafficking amount of pressed fentanyl pills in Mitchell’s vehicle, according to a press release from the Hunstville Police Department. A trafficking amount is an amount in excess of 4 grams or 1,000 pills, according to Alabama law. Mitchell is facing a minimum sentence of three years in jail and a $50,000 fine.
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“We will not tolerate individuals bringing dangerous and illegal drugs onto our school campuses,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said in a statement. “I am thankful to our NADTF agents who moved swiftly to apprehend this individual before anyone got hurt.”
Police claim there is no evidence that Mitchell sold any pills to students.
“Any actions that jeopardize the health and safety of our students and staff members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Christie Finley said. “We thank the Huntsville Police Department for their commitment to promoting safe schools and a safe community.”
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Mitchell’s bail was set at $65,000.
