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Teacher found guilty of selling drugs to kids at school

Posted at 3:11 PM, Sep 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-19 15:11:39-04

CLEWISTON, Fla. (AP) — A 37-year-old teacher has been found guilty of selling illegal drugs to two students at her Florida middle school.

Prosecutors say Maria Otilia Rivera faces up to 35 years in prison when she's sentenced Oct. 16.

A Hendry County Sheriff's Office investigation that began in 2017 found that Rivera sold drugs to two girls, ages 12 and 14. Investigators say the teacher would take the girls off campus and teach them how to prepare and ingest the drugs. The girls had not previously used drugs.

The report says another time Rivera took money from a student and promised to deliver drugs the next day.

Rivera was allowed to remain free until sentencing.