By Bill Lawson
and Jeff Reed
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — A Maumelle High School assistant girls basketball coach was arrested on drug charges today as she left the school.
Brittany Burns
The misdemeanor counts were in connection with the drugs Lortab and Klonopin, which also were found in Burns’ vehicle, he said.
She had been under surveillance for weeks, Williams said.
Burns is the head coach of the girls freshman team and the school’s soccer team. She is scheduled to be the boys soccer coach this season.
Burns also faces one felony count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and for operating a vehicle with expired tags.
Williams said the drug charges would be enhanced because possession was in proximity of a school.
“Burns was arrested after an investigation resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and other drugs,” the police chief said. “A traffic stop was conducted as Burns was leaving the Maumelle High School campus by Maumelle patrol officers. As a result of this investigation and during the course of this stop, the drugs were found on her person and in her vehicle.”
Burns is employed by the Pulaski County Special School District. She is a physical education teacher and assistant coach for the Maumelle High School girls basketball team, Williams said. She coached the varsity girls team Tuesday night against Pulaski Academy during head coach Lauren Buckner’s illness.
A school district spokeswoman declined a direct comment concerning Burns’ arrest.
“Our goal is to ensure all students, teachers and school officials have a focus on teaching and learning and experience a safe and orderly environment,” spokeswoman Deborah Roush, said in a prepared statement. “We will continue to partner with the Maumelle Police Department regarding investigations such as these. Because this is a personnel issue, we are limited legally in what we can say and details we can provide.”
Burns’ arrest resulted from an ongoing investigation and more arrests are expected, Williams said.
