Attorney General Shapiro Announces Charges Against Cumberland County Middle School Teacher Dealing Drugs

November 15, 2018 | Topic: Criminal

Teacher arrested in advance of planned overnight field trip

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced felony charges against a Cumberland County teacher just hours before she was to chaperone a student field trip.  An investigation by Office of Attorney General Agents led to the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, and hundreds of prescription pills, notably Adderall.

“I’m working to keep Pennsylvanians safe in their neighborhoods, and taking down illegal drug dealers – especially those in close contact with children like teachers and school staff – is a critical part of that mission.  Drug dealers push poison into our communities, putting us all at risk,” said Attorney General Shapiro. “I’m proud to partner with local law enforcement agencies, like the New Cumberland Police Department, Cumberland County Drug Task Force and Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, doing this difficult work on the ground every single day in communities across the Commonwealth.”

Earlier this month, Office of Attorney General Agents initiated an investigation into the defendant, Lisa Marszalek, who is a science teacher at New Cumberland Middle School in New Cumberland, PA.  During the course of the investigation, two controlled buys of cocaine and Adderall were made in Ms. Marszalek’s residence, during which it was learned that she was taking several students on an overnight field trip in the coming days.  Agents executed a search warrant at her home on November 13 to intervene so Marszalek would not be able to chaperone the school trip.  Seized from her property was approximately 250 prescription Adderall pills, one ounce of cocaine, and seven grams of methamphetamine all with a street value of more than $7,000.

Lisa Marszalek, 47, of the 300 block of Carol Street, New Cumberland, is charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Marszalek’s bail is set at $50,000. A Preliminary hearing for is set for November 21.  The case will be prosecuted by District Attorney M.L. Ebert, Jr.  The New Cumberland Police Department and the Cumberland County Drug Task Force assisted with this investigation.

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