School Teacher Arrested

Colton police arrested a seventh-grade teacher Oct. 7 found to be in possession of an illegal substance near campus, according to police. Jehue Middle School teacher Kyle Patrick MacKenzie, 29, was arrested around 10 a.m. on campus that morning and booked with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for investigation of possession of a controlled substance, according to jail records. He was released late Oct. 7 on bail, jail records show. "A witness saw (MacKenzie) smoking something that didn't look like a cigarette," said Cpl. Ray Mendez with the Colton Police Department. "We believe he was on his way to school." The witness alerted school authorities, according to a release issued by the Colton Police Department. When officers arrived on scene, they contacted and questioned MacKenzie, ultimately finding him in possession of heroin. According to the release, MacKenzie admitted to smoking the substance. Though located in Colton, Jehue Middle School is a part of the Rialto Unified School District. MacKenzie was put on paid administrative leave by RUSD as required by California law, explained RUSD spokesperson Syeda Jafri. "We immediately work with law enforcement officials to put the employee on paid administrative leave," Jafri said. "Until charges are filed, he is a suspect and the court of law determines whether he is guilty or not guilty. When they make that decision, they notify the district and then personnel would make the decision" as to MacKenzie's employment, said Jafri. "Of course it's deeply disturbing when something like this happens. It shakes up our educational community, our parental community and our student body," said Jafri. "This is an isolated and unfortunate incident."