News Release [printer friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2007

Middle School Principal Arrested For Selling Meth

FEB 28 -- (PHILADELPHIA) James M. Kasson, Special Agent in Charge, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Philadelphia Division announced today the culmination of an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of John Acerra, a 50-year old middle school principal at the Nitschmann Middle School, 909 West Union Boulevard, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Acerra was arrested Tuesday evening, February 28, 2007 after he allegedly sold metahamphetamine to an undercover informant in Allentown.

Acerra was charged by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office with three (3) counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver, Manufacture or Create Methamphetamine (felony), two (2) counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine (felony), three (3) counts of Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance (misdemeanor), one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Use Drug Paraphernalia (misdemeanor). He was arraigned in Lehigh County Court and committed to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $200,000.00 bail.

Special Agent in Charge James M. Kasson stated, “Acerra was entrusted with the safety and welfare of young children. Acerra violated that public trust, not only by distributing methamphetamine, but also utilizing the Nitchmann Middle School as a point of distribution. Acerra’s arrest defused a potentially harmful and damaging situation where school age children were brought into contact with methamphetamine users, distributors and sources of supply on school grounds.”

This case was investigated by the DEA Allentown Resident Office in conjunction with the Bethlehem Police Department (BPD), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Lehigh County Drug Task Force, and the Allentown Police Department.

Questions may be directed to DEA Philadelphia Public Information Officer William Hocker at (215) 861-3436.