A man pulled over in Southampton Village early Saturday morning was found not only allegedly to be driving drunk with a suspended license — but also unlawfully in possession of a loaded handgun, according to police. He also teaches fourth grade in the Riverhead Central School District.
said that Joe Johnson, 38, of Southampton, was charged with two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a weapon around 3:36 a.m. Saturday on Hill Street after he was arrested for DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, both misdemeanors.
Johnson had a .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, police said.
On Tuesday, Riverhead School District Superintendent Nancy Carney confirmed that Johnson is an employee of the district. He is employed as a fourth grade teacher at the Phillips Avenue Elementary School, Carney said.
"The Riverhead Central School District is monitoring the matter and will of course cooperate with the Southampton Village Police Department," Carney wrote in an email. "Mr. Johnson has been administratively reassigned to his home, effective immediately. Any further action, if and when appropriate, will be taken after the charges are addressed by the court."
A former graduate of the district, Johnson has been involved with athletics and spoken to students a number of years ago about saying no to drugs.
Bail was set at $3,000 during his arraignment at Saturday morning. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Joanna De Leon: Omg that was my 4th grade teacher! about an hour ago via mobile · Like Sue Farrell: Everyone needs to keep in mind that this did not happen when he was working. It should not affect his job long term as long as his teaching record is good. I've always heard positive things about the man. I hope he can get things worked out.
Karen Mellinger Poorman I always wonder what people are thinking when they leave the house with a gun: whether in the car or on their person. They must either feel threatened enough to think that they might have to kill someone in self defense or they are looking for trouble. 3 hours ago · Like · 1 Nikki Maccagli i was in love with this man until i saw this.. and hes still a teacher and the jv bball coach..riverhead sucks with staff first our principal now him.. sadd 3 hours ago · Like Melissa Spero Messina I have no WORDS, @ Sue he deff should lose his job what kind of role model is this?? Not one I want for my kids I dont care what his teaching record is! 2 hours ago · Like · 1 Veronica Mcfarlin That is sad! about an hour ago · Like Laurie Raynor Really? No one knows what he was personally going through. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, is that correct Melissa? I have been with someone who had drinking problems & other issues, it is not an easy thing to go through. Yes he obviously made a VERY bad decision but who are WE to crucify him? What a bunch of hypocrites!! Amazing!! about an hour ago · Like
Melissa Spero Messina Laurie Raynor, You are very right! I too understand the drinking problem thing, I just think that when you break the law you have to pay the penalty right? and unfortunitly his job is teaching elementary children this whole situation is very sad, but we need to protect our kids right? about an hour ago · Like · 1 Laurie Raynor Absolutely! Protecting our children is all well & good. He obviously has a drinking problem. He isn't child molester. He of course broke the law & should be punished according to the law. That will be diced with the attorneys & the judge. Not us people on Facebook! We all love the man when he was teaching our students (by the way he is an excellent teacher) but when he falls, we kick him while he is down.
We all do stupid things, and we can all justify why we do them. Just because he is a teacher doesn't mean he is dangerous to the kids he works with or that he is any more offensive because of his occupation. Everyone is jumping to conclusions about his character based on this story.
He is a criminal menace, a danger to our families and WHO carries a loaded weapon !!?? No, he has an obligation to PROTECT our children, and driving drunk - he could have KILLED some of them. He is a teacher, must be held to a higher standard, and must be punished for his criminal acts - once they plead it down.