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Lincoln County teacher, coach suspended following drug arrest

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A Lincoln County middle school teacher and high school softball coach has been suspended without pay following his arrest last month.

Tyler Sain, 38, was charged on Aug. 15 with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

On the Lincoln County Schools website, Sain is listed as a health and physical education teacher at West Lincoln Middle School and a softball coach at West Lincoln High School.

According to a Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, his arrest stemmed from an incident on July 24, and the paraphernalia in question was a meth bowl or glass pipe.

School officials said the arrest is a personnel issue and that they can’t comment on their actions, but Sain was suspended without pay soon after his arrest.

Sain is a coach with a strong reputation for success on the field, but some want some want a guarantee that he won't be back after his recent arrest.

Cleveland County sheriff deputies said Sain had a bowl and pipe commonly used to ingest meth.

Benjamin Grantt, whose grandchildren attend the school, said it's most upsetting that Sain is supposed to promote healthy choices as the health and PE teacher.

"Somebody in this category shouldn't be around kids,” Grantt said. "Dismiss him from school. Around kids sets a bad example.”

A concerned parent said this is not the first time Sain made a bad choice that landed him in jail.

Channel 9 found Sain was charged and convicted of DWI in 2011.

The officer said Sain had "red, bloodshot, glassy eyes" and he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the defendant's breath.

Sain was placed on probation and kept his job.

Todric Anderson, who played for Sain at West Lincoln Middle School, said Sain is a role model and still a positive influence on him and his students.

"He a good guy. It's just, people make mistakes everywhere,” Anderson said. "Every time he sees me he comes and talks to me like I still go to West Lincoln Middle School."

Channel 9 asked school officials the process they follow for an arrest like this and what would lead to an immediate termination.

School officials have not yet responded.

Sain's second hearing on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia is on Oct. 4.

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