Starry Taylor, a Collierville (Tenn.) Middle School girls’ basketball coach was arrested on Friday for a drug and firearms charge by the Shelby County sheriff’s office.
According to Action News, law enforcement first became aware of Taylor after a suspicious package was brought in to the Sheriff’s office for a K-9 drug scan. It tested positive and was discovered to contain two pounds of cocaine.
When arrested, law enforcement also found 32 grams of marijuana in Taylor’s residence, and he is being held on $125,000 bond. This charge marks the second time in 15 years that Taylor has faced criminal charges for drug-related offenses. In 2013, Taylor was charged for possession of 12 pounds of marijuana.
Taylor served as the non-faculty girls’ basketball coach at Collierville Middle School, and Collierville Schools have not released a statement on Taylor’s arrest.
In a statement, Collierville School said, “Taylor served this year as the non-faculty head girls basketball coach at Collierville Middle School and was not an employee of the district. Non-faculty coaches work under annual coaching agreements and are not guaranteed future appointments. The team’s season ended February 4.”
“I think that sets a very bad precedent for the community,” said James Garrick, a Collierville resident. “That someone in a position, that they have that influence—especially influence over young and vulnerable people—is engaged in that sort of action. It’s very worrisome.”
