Middle School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamines

Garrett Dudeck, 43, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamines today in federal court in Philadelphia. Dudeck, who taught at Southern Lehigh Middle School, was after police staged three undercover buys of the drug.

Edward Shelton, also arrested as a result of the undercover work, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of methamphetamine distribution.

Police testified at Dudeck's preliminary hearing that each of the three buys was for an "eight ball," approximately 3.5 grams of meth. Police also testified that Dudeck would receive text messages on his phone and leave Southern Lehigh Middle School to make drug sales. Police then followed Dudeck back to his Bethlehem residence to observe the buys.

Police arrested Dudeck coming out of his home at 1715 Watkins St. in Bethlehem. Inside the house, police said, they found two baggies of "eight balls," eight bags containing drug residue and a scale that also had residue on it.

Dudeck faces a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison and possible fines. Dudeck will be sentenced Nov. 14.