A middle school teaching assistant in Arlington, Va., has been arrested after police said he smoked marijuana with a 13-year-old student and then sold him the drug last week.
Zachary Van Dyke, 32, remained in the Arlington County jail Wednesday, a day after he was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and distribution of marijuana. Van Dyke, a Gunston Middle School teaching assistant and a freshman basketball coach at Washington-Lee High School, has been suspended from his job, said school spokesman Frank Bellavia.
Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said the boy has not been charged and is considered a victim.
Savage said Van Dyke picked the boy up from school after classes let out, sometime in the early evening on Friday. The teaching assistant then drove to his home, about three miles from campus, with the 13-year-old boy. Van Dyke smoked marijuana with the boy and then sold him the drug before taking him back to campus after about two hours, according to police.
Savage said the boy’s parents discovered the marijuana on Sunday and notified police, kicking off the investigation that led to Van Dyke’s arrest Tuesday.
Van Dyke has worked for the school system since 2008 and this year was nominated for the district’s “Support Employee of the Year.”
It was not immediately clear Wednesday if Van Dyke has a lawyer.
Police are now trying to determine if Van Dyke sold drugs to or used drugs with any other students. Police asked anyone with information about Van Dyke to call Detective S. Proud at 703-228-7156 or email him at sproud@arlingtonva.us.
Zachary Van Dyke, 32, remained in the Arlington County jail Wednesday, a day after he was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and distribution of marijuana. Van Dyke, a Gunston Middle School teaching assistant and a freshman basketball coach at Washington-Lee High School, has been suspended from his job, said school spokesman Frank Bellavia.
Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said the boy has not been charged and is considered a victim.
Savage said Van Dyke picked the boy up from school after classes let out, sometime in the early evening on Friday. The teaching assistant then drove to his home, about three miles from campus, with the 13-year-old boy. Van Dyke smoked marijuana with the boy and then sold him the drug before taking him back to campus after about two hours, according to police.
Savage said the boy’s parents discovered the marijuana on Sunday and notified police, kicking off the investigation that led to Van Dyke’s arrest Tuesday.
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| Teaching assistant Zachary Van Dyke, 32, is accused of smoking marijuana with a 13-year-old student and then selling him the drug. (Arlington County Police) |
Van Dyke has worked for the school system since 2008 and this year was nominated for the district’s “Support Employee of the Year.”
It was not immediately clear Wednesday if Van Dyke has a lawyer.
Police are now trying to determine if Van Dyke sold drugs to or used drugs with any other students. Police asked anyone with information about Van Dyke to call Detective S. Proud at 703-228-7156 or email him at sproud@arlingtonva.us.