
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 31, 1993                   TAG: 9308310207
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HAMPTON                                LENGTH: Short

FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER GETS 10 YEARS FOR DRUG DEALING

A former Bethel High School French teacher was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000 for selling cocaine.

Floyd Smith Jr., 37, also was given a 30-day suspended sentence and fined $500 by Hampton Circuit Judge Nelson T. Overton for a marijuana possession charge.

Police raided Smith's home in January and found marijuana, three small bags of cocaine, scales and other drug paraphernalia. Police said an anonymous informant gave them information about Smith's drug dealing.

Smith told police he sold cocaine in Norfolk bars because of financial problems.

Overton brushed aside pleas from defense lawyer Paul Wilson, who said Smith's life was ruined by the arrest. Smith said he was addicted to cocaine and had sought counseling.

"He has less excuse for being in this court today than anybody I've seen in the last 15 years," Overton said.

by CNB