Seattle high school drug specialist indicted on drug charges

SEATTLE -  A drug-and-alcohol intervention specialist at Seattle's Rainier Beach High School has been indicted on drug conspiracy charges.

The U.S. attorney's office says Robert Henry Smith was arrested Thursday night. Court papers say a confidential informant made four controlled buys of oxycodone from him beginning last month.

The 59-year-old was scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court Friday on charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of oxycodone.

Prosecutors say none of the alleged drug dealing occurred on school property or involved students. Smith has been placed on paid leave from the Seattle School District.

Also arrested was 37-year-old Adrian Demetrius Johnson, who prosecutors say has previously been prosecuted in federal court on drug charges. Johnson is accused of providing Smith with oxycodone he later sold.

In court papers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisca Borichewski wrote that during the final controlled drug buy from Smith, investigators questioned two people they saw outside his home in Skyway, south of Seattle, and the pair reported they had purchased oxycodone from him at least 20 times.

Prosecutors requested that the pair remain in custody, saying there was a risk they could flee and a risk that potential witnesses might be intimidated.