Hudson Valley Teacher Faces Multiple Drug, Gun Charges

A woman facing multiple drug, and gun charges, happens to be a special education teacher here in the Hudson Valley. 

Simona Ballard, 43, a special education instructor for the Monticello School District along with her husband are facing multiple felony drug and gun charges following a traffic stop.

Ballard is a special education instructor for George L. Cooke Elementary School in the Monticello School District, according to the Times Herald-Record.

Ballard earned $38,737 in 2015, according to the Empire Center's See Through NY database of public employee salaries.

Ballard and her husband Robert Ballard, 45, were pulled over by state police, who found 11 ounces of cocaine with a street value of $20,000, and a blackjack weapon in the car, according to New York State Police.

Following the traffic stop, state police obtained a search warrant for the couple's Rock Hill home. After searching the home, police found more cocaine, 46 grams of heroin, and two loaded firearms, one of which was defaced.

The couple has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Ballard also has felony conviction for tampering with evidence, according to The Record.

The couple's bail hearing was set to resume Wednesday in Sullivan County Court.