Assistant Principal Charged With Drug Possession: Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — The assistant principal of Pasco High School faces multiple charges after a Sunday night car crash in Lakeland, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Ralph Stewart, 49, of Plant City is accused of driving under the influence with drug possession after he crashed his car at Kathleen Road and Galloway Road at 9:37 p.m., according to investigators.

Stewart was already driving with a suspended license that he received on Oct. 17, deputies said.

"Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a terrible decision that too many times results in the loss of innocent lives," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "This was Ralph Stewart's second DUI arrest in less than two months. He is in the position of being a role model and setting good examples for the students. I’m going to give Mr. Stewart an “F” for failing to do that.”

Stewart and the other driver did not experience injuries in the car crash, detectives said.

Ralph Stewart faces the following charges, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office:

• Possession of Alprazolam
• Possession of marijuana
• Maintaining a public nuisance by transporting narcotics
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Driving under the influence with property damage
• Knowingly driving while license suspended