Contract school security worker allegedly sold fentanyl at Huntsville basketball game, arrested on gun charges

Contract school security worker allegedly sold fentanyl at Huntsville basketball game, arrested on gun charges

A man working contract security at Huntsville’s Grissom High School has been arrested on drug and gun charges.

Huntsville Police Sgt. Rosalind White said the North Alabama Drug Task Force (NADTF) has charged Justin Omari Mitchell, 25, with drug trafficking, drug sale near a school and possession of a deadly weapon.

Officers arrested Mitchell on school grounds Tuesday.

Agents learned Mitchell was selling fentanyl-pressed pills while working at an after-school basketball game.

White said Mitchell was taken into custody without incident at the game. Agents recovered a trafficking amount of fentanyl, as well as a firearm, from the suspect’s vehicle, she said.

White said there is no evidence that Mitchell was selling drugs to students.

“Any actions that jeopardize the health and safety of our students and staff members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Huntsville City School Superintendent Christie Finley said in a statement.

Grissom High School Principal Jeanne Greer said Mitchell will not be permitted on campus or allowed to work district events in the future.

“This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Greer said in a message to parents. “While there are no indications that any students were involved, we ask for your help in ensuring your child is not in possession of any items that could be harmful to their health and well-being.”

Police Chief Kirk Giles said police “will not tolerate individuals bringing dangerous and illegal drugs onto our school campuses.”