Raleigh Teacher Faces Charges Over Alleged School Impairment

A physical education teacher at Aversboro Elementary School in Garner, North Carolina, faces criminal charges after allegedly teaching first-grade students while under the influence of alcohol and THC. Eric John Ames, 39, of Raleigh, was charged Thursday, according to court records, following an alleged incident on school grounds.

The Garner Police Department charged Ames with misdemeanor child abuse, disorderly conduct at a school, and simple possession of cannabis, which is a controlled substance in North Carolina. CBS 17 first reported the allegations against the teacher.

Aversboro Elementary Principal Tiffany Stuart confirmed the charges and the alleged on-campus incident in a letter sent to families Thursday. She also informed parents that Ames had been suspended with pay while the situation remained subject to privacy restrictions.

Stuart addressed the school's approach to student and staff safety in her letter to families.

"I want to assure you that we take the safety of our students and staff members very seriously," Stuart wrote.

The principal said privacy laws limited the information she could disclose about the allegations. She confirmed Ames's employment status in the same letter.

"While privacy laws prevent me from providing much additional information about the situation, I can share that Mr. Ames is suspended with pay," Stuart wrote.

According to Ames's personnel file, the school hired him as a supplemental teacher in February 2022. He began serving as a program enhancement teacher at Aversboro Elementary in August 2022.

Court records indicate that Ames is being held in custody on $6,000 bail. The charges concern allegations of conduct involving students at the Garner school.