Coach Arrested After Amateur Drug Sting

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Coach Arrested After Amateur Drug Sting

Last Edited: Friday, 19 Oct 2007, 10:14 AM CDT

Created: Friday, 19 Oct 2007, 10:03 AM CDT

A middle school track coach and former Olympian who was arrested on drug possession charges says he bought the narcotics in an effort to help students.

Roy “Robot†Martin is a two-time Olympian and former track star at Roosevelt High School and SMU. He now serves as the head track coach and hall monitor for Florence Middle School in Pleasant Grove.

Last week, Martin learned a student was selling the prescription drug Xanax in the halls. He purchased drugs from the student and took them directly to the school’s principal. Martin said he did it to prove to officials that there is a drug problem at the school and students are at risk.

The case was immediately turned over to DISD police, and they turned the focus back to Martin. He was arrested and told he’d be facing five counts for his actions.

“I thought I did the right thing with the best interest for the school and for the children,†Martin told FOX 4.

One student said he thought the school and Martin could have handled the situation better.

“He should have done the right thing and took the kid to the office and that would have been the right thing. He wouldn’t have been in jail and the kid would have been in the wrong,†student Marquise Gooseberry told FOX 4.

Martin and his lawyer said the arrest sends the wrong message to school staff.

“That they should not come forward when they see kids doing things wrong because if they do the same thing that happened to Mr. Martin could happen to them,†said Sharita Blacknall, Martin’s attorney.

Martin and Blacknall said they plan to fight the charges.

[77]

Sounds like coach is getting screwed. Thats about the only way to prove the kid was selling. No backing by administration seems to be the going thing, everyone is scared of a law suit.

[dayton]

If his story is true....he should have had an administrator watch the thing go down or something to that effect. It's a shame if he gets in major trouble, his name used to be all over the HS record books and probably still are. He should've thought that through a little better. As a teacher, I want my administrators to take me at my word, but I would come up with a better plan in order to do so.

[stevieray]

I personally applaud the coach....What happened to the kid? 

[Guest whoabroncos09]

i personally think that the coach did the right thing.

but then again...there could have been a better way to take care of it.

[Tiger90]

This coach is stupid plain and simple.  There is not an administration out there that could support this action. If a school employee suspects something like this they should immediately contact the campus administrator.  At that point law enforcement should be notified by the school.  Schools are civil and police are judicial.  Even the cops when they do a sting have the higher ups know what is happening.

[bullets13]

I agree with you... the coach was stupid.  i don't think he should be charged with a crime, unless they make stupidity a misdemeanor (which would not hurt my feelings).  it sounds like he did the right thing for the wrong reasons.  he obviously was not buying with intent to use,  but with intent to bring the drug selling to a halt.  i can certainly find fault in his actions, but i don't feel that he should be held criminally responsible.