Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | 3rd Grade Teacher's Bond On Heroin Charge Is $25,000

3rd Grade Teacher's Bond On Heroin Charge Is $25,000

Omaha, NE - A judge sets bond at $25,000 for a third grade teacher accused of having heroin at Florence Elementary yesterday. 
     Prosecutors say a paraprofessional who works with Krista Crosby found the drugs.
     They say Crosby had a straw, a green baggie with rocks of heroin, and a dirty spoon.

     Friends who came to support Crosby in court tell Action 3 News reporter Kathy Sarantos Niver they didn't suspect drug use. They say they're shocked to hear allegations of heroin use because "there's a negative stigma with it."
     Friend Mike Azimi describes Crosby as "really fun-loving, always happy, smiles a lot. It was a surprise. No signs at all."
     The woman in court today was anything but happy and smiling.
     She looked miserable and thin, and for a while, fought back the tears.
     Azimi hopes she'll be a candidate for drug court: "I hope the whole thing works out and she gets better."
     Crosby's other friends and attorney didn't want to talk--but her attorney said in court that she wants to go into treatment.
     Friends agree it would be the best thing for her. Azimi says:"It (heroin) is an unforgiving drug."

     Meanwhile at 24th and Leavenworth, where drugs like crack and meth are readily available, neighbors say it's really unusual to find someone with heroin there. They say it's been years since it was popular.
     In fact, one drug expert in law enforcement tells us he's seen only a handful of arrests in recent years.
     He says users tend to be older, not 34-year-old teachers.

     Now that Crosby's at the Douglas County Jail, she'll get a medical screening and could end up in the medical care ward. 
     The judge told Crosby that if found guilty of the heroin charges, she could face up to 5 years in prison. But since the arrest happened at a school drug-free zone, that penalty could be doubled.
     Crosby has been with OPS for nine years, the last three years at Florence Elementary.   Parents interviewed by Action 3 News were shocked to learn she had been arrested. A substitute will be assigned to Crosby's 3rd grade class until a replacement can be found.