PANAMA CITY BEACH — A Vernon Middle School teacher has been suspended after police found him passed out in front of a convenience store allegedly with controlled substances and paraphernalia, according to official reports.
James Edward Tyre, 27, was arrested on charges of paraphernalia and narcotics possession Tuesday at about 3 a.m. after police found him asleep in his vehicle in front of the Express Lane at 16935 Panama City Beach Parkway. Police said they found clear baggies in Tyre’s pockets and inside his vehicle with the assistance of a Police K-9 unit before taking him to jail on the charges.
Tyre, of Chipley, was released on pretrial probation before his first appearance in court Wednesday. He has been placed on paid leave from his duties as a teacher at Vernon Middle School.
Washington County Superintendent of Schools Joseph Taylor placed Tyre on paid leave. He later indicated he would recommend at the Monday’s School Board meeting the teacher be placed on unpaid leave until Tyre’s next court date.
Tyre’s first arraignment takes place Dec. 16.
Tyre is the son of long-time Washington County Superintendent of Schools Jerry Tyre.
According to arrest records, K-9 officer Blitz detected a clear baggie in Tyre’s front pocket containing cocaine; a sunglasses case containing a baggie of marijuana, a glass pipe and Visine; and a cigarette pack with a baggie of marijuana within. Under the driver seat, where police found Tyre, Blitz found another baggie with a white powdery residue coating its lining and containing a small amount of marijuana, police reported.
Police found less than 20 grams marijuana during the search, they reported, which is a misdemeanor offense. However, Tyre is facing felony charges for allegedly possessing a controlled substance and paraphernalia.