A Lely High School teacher is facing cocaine and fentanyl possession charges after Collier County deputies said narcotics were found in his backpack.According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher D. Toukonen, 44, was taken into custody on Thursday after deputies found a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine inside his backpack, which was inside his classroom.CCSO said school administrators were notified that Toukonen was reportedly using drugs while he was alone in the classroom with no students present. School staff found the drugs and contacted CCSO.”The kids are the be-all end-all,” Tom Smith of Marco Island said. “Anytime you have problems with kids, everything has to stop immediately and brought into line.”Toukonen was booked into the Collier County Jail after detectives interviewed him, and he is also facing a charge of possession of narcotic paraphernalia.The sheriff’s office said detectives later executed a search warrant at Toukonen’s classroom and his vehicle on the school campus, but no additional narcotics were found.”Whatever good he has done is probably going to be diminished by what happened, which is sad,” Robert Miller Jr. of Naples said. “He could have been a good coach, could be a good teacher.”This is an ongoing investigation, CCSO said.Collier County Public Schools responded to Gulf Coast News with the following statement:”Upon learning of the arrest, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) immediately removed the employee from the classroom and initiated the termination process.”The matter is currently under criminal investigation, and the District is cooperating fully with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The District does not comment on active investigations. “Any act that compromises the safety and well-being of students and staff, or the trust of our community, is taken seriously and addressed with immediate action. “The alleged conduct does not reflect the values or expectations of CCPS, nor the thousands of dedicated professionals who serve our students with integrity and professionalism each day and adhere to Florida’s Code of Professional Ethics and District policy.”Lely High School also sent out the following statement to families:”Dear Lely High Families, “I want to communicate important information with you to ensure transparency and clarity. We have been made aware of an arrest involving a school employee, Christopher Toukonen, related to drug charges. “Upon learning of the arrest, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) immediately removed the employee from the classroom and initiated the termination process. The matter is currently under criminal investigation, and the District is cooperating fully with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. “Any act that compromises the safety and well-being of students and staff, or the trust of our community, is taken seriously and addressed with immediate action. The alleged conduct does not reflect the values or expectations of CCPS or the thousands of dedicated professionals who serve students each day with integrity and professionalism. “Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. “Sincerely, “Jen Bledsoe “Principal, Lely High School”.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
A Lely High School teacher is facing cocaine and fentanyl possession charges after Collier County deputies said narcotics were found in his backpack.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher D. Toukonen, 44, was taken into custody on Thursday after deputies found a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine inside his backpack, which was inside his classroom.
CCSO said school administrators were notified that Toukonen was reportedly using drugs while he was alone in the classroom with no students present. School staff found the drugs and contacted CCSO.
“The kids are the be-all end-all,” Tom Smith of Marco Island said. “Anytime you have problems with kids, everything has to stop immediately and brought into line.”
Toukonen was booked into the Collier County Jail after detectives interviewed him, and he is also facing a charge of possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office said detectives later executed a search warrant at Toukonen’s classroom and his vehicle on the school campus, but no additional narcotics were found.
“Whatever good he has done is probably going to be diminished by what happened, which is sad,” Robert Miller Jr. of Naples said. “He could have been a good coach, could be a good teacher.”
This is an ongoing investigation, CCSO said.
Collier County Public Schools responded to Gulf Coast News with the following statement:
“Upon learning of the arrest, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) immediately removed the employee from the classroom and initiated the termination process.
“The matter is currently under criminal investigation, and the District is cooperating fully with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. The District does not comment on active investigations.
“Any act that compromises the safety and well-being of students and staff, or the trust of our community, is taken seriously and addressed with immediate action.
“The alleged conduct does not reflect the values or expectations of CCPS, nor the thousands of dedicated professionals who serve our students with integrity and professionalism each day and adhere to Florida’s Code of Professional Ethics and District policy.”
Lely High School also sent out the following statement to families:
“Dear Lely High Families,
“I want to communicate important information with you to ensure transparency and clarity. We have been made aware of an arrest involving a school employee, Christopher Toukonen, related to drug charges.
“Upon learning of the arrest, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) immediately removed the employee from the classroom and initiated the termination process. The matter is currently under criminal investigation, and the District is cooperating fully with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
“Any act that compromises the safety and well-being of students and staff, or the trust of our community, is taken seriously and addressed with immediate action. The alleged conduct does not reflect the values or expectations of CCPS or the thousands of dedicated professionals who serve students each day with integrity and professionalism.
“Thank you for your continued trust and partnership as we work together to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
“Sincerely,
“Jen Bledsoe
“Principal, Lely High School”.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
