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Greenwood High School golf coach arrested on numerous drug charges

Posted at 9:20 AM, May 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-03 21:56:47-04

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- The head varsity golf coach at Greenwood High School was arrested on felony drug charges this week.

The arrest stemmed from a drug investigation by the Indiana State Police, Columbus Police Department, and the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department. On Tuesday, police conducted a traffic stop on two vehicles. The driver of one of the vehicles, 37-year-old Benjamin L. Beatty, Columbus, is the head varsity golf coach at Greenwood High School. Beatty was pulled over at State Road 46 at Carr Hill Road in Columbus.

According to a release from Indiana State Police, Beatty resisted the trooper and was detained at the scene. A search of his vehicle resulted in one ounce of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia. 

Troopers also served search warrants for Beatty's house and a motel room he rented. The search warrants resulted in the discovery of additional methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, syringes, drug paraphernalia, and packaging material. Officers also located counterfeit money and other evidence of counterfeiting.

"At this time, we have no evidence and no indication that any of his illegal activity on his off time was connected to his connection with his students who he mentored in the golf program," said Sgt. Steven Wheeles, Indiana State Police.

Beatty was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, dealing heroin, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of a syringe, counterfeiting, and misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The Greenwood Community School Corporation released the following statement:

On May 2, 2018, Greenwood Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Kent DeKoninck was notified by both the Greenwood Police Department and the Indiana State Police of pending criminal charges being filed against an employee. Benjamin Beatty, high school and middle school boys' golf coach was arrested in Columbus, Indiana and has been charged with multiple drug related offenses. Mr. Beatty does not serve in any other capacity in the school district. Procedures have started to terminate his employment. He has had no contact with students since Dr. DeKoninck received notification of the charges being filed.

The driver of the second vehicle, Jared K. Elsner, age 33, was also arrested on preliminary charges of possession of heroin, possession of a syringe, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

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