LAS VEGAS -- A Las Vegas principal known as an advocate for anti-drug programs is arrested for having meth in his home. The principal at Dondero Elementary School was arrested Thursday night, along with the office manager of Simmons Elementary in North Las Vegas.
The amounts of drugs school police say they found in the home shared by principal Leroy Espinosa and office manager Joseph Rodriguez was small -- less than an ounce of meth and marijuana. But there's a lot of shock among parents, and even some disbelief.
"I've known the man for eight years. He has fun. He tries to get the kids to enjoy school and he wants to see them succeed. To hear that he was arrested on drugs, I am just in shock. I don't believe it. I don't think it's true," said parent Colleen Powers.
Arrest Report for Leroy Espinosa
Arrest Report for Joseph Rodriguez
Principal Espinosa shares a home with Rodriguez. Employees found a bag with white powder at Simmons Elementary. CCSD police says it tested positive for meth.
Detectives say Rodriguez confessed to using marijuana and meth to treat the complications of a medical condition.
Thursday night, detectives went to the home he shares with his partner, Principal Espinosa. Inside the home and truck, detectives report they found more meth.
"It does not appear that any drug use had gone on on campus or either individual had been under the influence of drugs during their time of employment at the campus," said CCSD Police Lt. Ken Young.
Parents say Principal Espinosa was well known for helping to run the anti-drug DARE program at Dondero.
CCSD police say the evidence indicates the two men were not selling illegal drugs. Both Espinosa and Rodriguez face one felony charge of meth possession and multiple misdemeanor charges of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Leroy Espinosa
Joseph Rodriguez
