Former Montgomery educator convicted of giving away Opioids

It seems like it’s so easy to get drugs in this present time. It’s like simply going to a convenient store, getting it, and going back home. This is a sad reality because this would mean that more people, even the younger ones can be at risk of using it- worse, to get addicted to it. But what is sadder is when there are people- those who are using drugs, who are also trying to influence others to using drugs.

Just like this former educator in Montgomery county who is giving away drugs to other people. Although there is no price to it, the end results are more alarming. Drugs is dangerous, it can affect one’s life and even cause death. This is why there is a need to prevent this from happening. People should know the dangers of drugs and why it’s better to never use it. For those who are addicted to it, seek help now with rehab services.

CHRISTIANSBURG — A former Montgomery County educator with decades of service was convicted Monday on drug distribution charges arising from giving his wife’s prescription painkillers to someone suffering withdrawal sickness.

William Bennett Calloway, 72, of Christiansburg, took no money for the drugs, attorneys said.

The police informant who twice obtained hydrocodone from Calloway told investigators “the defendant does not charge – he gives the drugs away as a gift,” Montgomery County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Jensen said during a hearing in the county’s Circuit Court.

Calloway entered no contest pleas Monday to two charges of distributing a Schedule II drug. Another felony charge, of conspiring to distribute drugs, was dropped in a plea agreement.

Judge Robert Turk found Calloway guilty and fined him $2,000. Turk imposed two five-year prison terms, then suspended the entire sentence for five years. He said that Calloway will be supervised by probation officers for five years.

Calloway this year finished a more than 40-year career with Montgomery County schools, serving most recently as a part-time teacher, schools spokeswoman Brenda Drake wrote in an email. His long record of community involvement included taking tickets at schools athletic events for years and helping launch Montgomery County’s first Veterans Day parade.

Summarizing the evidence against Calloway, Jensen said that on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14, an informant met with Calloway and got opioids.

Defense attorney David Rhodes of Christiansburg said the informant had been “drug-sick” and was seeking relief.