Published: August 02, 2008 10:18 pm      

Former teacher indicted

Ex-Neches teacher alleged to have stolen ADHD pills

PALESTINE — A former teacher at Neches Elementary School who allegedly stole amphetamines from the school nurse’s locked cabinet this past spring has been indicted by an Anderson County grand jury.

Lisa Minton Kubena, 48, of Palestine has been indicted on the charge of possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram in a drug-free zone, according to information released by the Anderson County district clerk’s office.

The charge is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

On the morning of April 24, authorities have said Kubena was caught on a hidden camera stealing the amphetamine Adderall, a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Based on an inventory of the cabinet, Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said officials believe Kubena stole a total of 13 pills on that day. The woman admitted to stealing the pills over a period of time, possibly for around six months, the sheriff added.

Kubena, who was dismissed from her job upon her arrest, had been employed by the Neches school district for five years.

A camera was placed in the room where the medication was stored after officials became suspicious that Kubena was removing pills, authorities have said.

Taylor has said he believes Kubena was stealing the pills solely for her personal use.

“She did indicate she had lots of medical problems and these particular pills helped her,” Taylor said at the time of the woman’s arrest.

Other indictments handed down on July 23 included:

Possession of Controlled Substance Less Than 1 Gram
Christopher Hayes, 19, Tennessee Colony, date of alleged offense, Feb. 27, 2008.
Matthew Louis Denning, 29, Palestine, date of alleged offense, March 11, 2008.
Hollie Ann Costlow, 37, Larue, date of alleged offense, March 29, 2008.
Roberto Garcia, 44, Palestine, date of alleged offense, March 29, 2008.
Maury Keith Soukup III, 30, Buffalo, date of alleged offense, March 17, 2008.
Amber L. Hamilton-Sanchez, 19, Palestine, date of alleged offense, April 4, 2008.

Possession of Controlled Substance 1-to-4 Grams
Elisa Dunacusky, 48, Palestine, date of alleged offense, March 5, 2008.

Forgery of a Financial Instrument
Latorya Leanna Watson, 26, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 4, 2007.
Whitney Whitt, 20, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 4, 2007.
Farria Nicole Lockett, 30, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 4, 2007.
R.B. Ethridge Jr., 47, Temple, date of alleged offense, Jan. 16, 2008.
Paul Anthony Davis, 36, Temple, date of alleged offense, Jan. 16, 2008.

Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Info
R.B. Ethridge Jr., 47, Temple, date of alleged offense, Jan. 16, 2008.
Paul Anthony Davis, 36, Temple, date of alleged offense, Jan. 16, 2008.

Misapplication of Fiduciary/Financial Property $1,500-to-$20,000
Laura Ann McMichael, 22, Athens, date of alleged offense, Sept. 17, 2007.

Credit/Debit Card Abuse
Brian Wayne Faulks Jr., 17, Elkhart, date of alleged offense, March 20, 2008.
Cedrick Bernard Hicks, 28, Palestine, date of alleged offense, June 21, 2008.

Burglary of a Building
Peggy Churchman, 54, Palestine, date of alleged offense, June 25, 2008.
James Glenn Light, 48, Palestine, date of alleged offense, June 25, 2008.

Burglary of a Habitation
Brandon Xavier Peterson, 20, Palestine, date of alleged offense, Oct. 4, 2007.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Apolinar Paul Delgado, 30, Palestine, date of alleged offense, July 10, 2008 (two counts).
Michelle McCauley, 34, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 26, 2008.

Kidnapping
Apolinar Paul Delgado, 30, Palestine, date of alleged offense, July 10, 2008.

Criminal Mischief $1,500-to-$20,000
Michelle McCauley, 34, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 26, 2008.

Robbery
Brandon Lee Sambrano, 16, Palestine, date of alleged offense, May 7, 2008.

Violate Protective Order — Two or More Previous Convictions
Frank M. Countryman, 40, Palestine, date of alleged offense, June 6, 2008 (four counts).

Assault Causing Bodily Injury — Family Member (Enhanced)
Gustavo Arial Caria, AKA Raul Amaya, 43, Palestine, date of alleged offense, Sept. 12, 2006.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com