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Teacher Arrested On Drug Charges

Matthew Kiser

WARREN, Pa. — A Warren County School District teacher was removed from class and arrested on drug charges on Tuesday.

Matthew R. Kiser, a teacher at Beaty-Warren Middle School, is charged with possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possessing a weapon on school property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, City of Warren Police and Warren County School District officials received an anonymous tip that Kiser was using drugs and paraphernalia during school.

According to the affidavit, Kiser waived his right to remain silent and agreed to answer questions. “During the interview, the defendant admitted to having approximately two ounces of methamphetamine in his… backpack… along with THC vape cartridges,” police said.

“The defendant informed officers that there may be possible syringes along with paraphernalia and residual from the controlled substances in his vehicle.”

Conewango K9 Officer Nic indicated the presence of drugs in both the backpack and the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Police said 2.2 grams of methamphetamine, 75 grams of marijuana, more than 100 pills of many different types, were found in Kiser’s backpack that he had with him in school. They said drug paraphernalia including a marijuana pipe, razor scraper, hose clamp grinders, plastic straws, clear plastic bags, butane torches, a butane canister, vaping devices, and a scale, were found during a search of Kiser’s property.

According to the affidavit, police found a meth pipe, a box-cutter knife, and Nicorette in Kiser’s classroom.

Kiser was removed from the building during school on Tuesday and his vehicle was reportedly towed.

“The district cannot comment on matters of personnel,” Superintendent Amy Stewart said. “We have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement while taking appropriate safety measures.”

Kiser was taken to Warren County jail Tuesday evening and arraigned Tuesday night before District Justice Raymond Zydonik.

Zydonik informed Kiser of the maximum possible penalties associated with the charges — up to seven years in prison and $15,000 fines for each of two felonies, up to five years and $10,000 for the three misdemeanors of the first degree, up to two years and $5,000 for one misdemeanor of the second degree, and up to one year and $2,500 for each of two ungraded misdemeanors.

Zydonik cited the seriousness of the charges and the allegations that offenses took place on school property in setting bail.

“I think I have an obligation to set some monetary conditions as well as some non-monetary conditions,” Zydonik said.

Kiser was returned to jail after failing to immediately post $35,000 bail.

Zydonik also imposed the condition that Kiser have no unsupervised contact with minor children.

A preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.

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