JCPS employee caught giving THC vape pen to 12-year-old student facing felony charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Jefferson County Public Schools employee caught giving a THC vape pen to a student now faces felony charges.

Eric Burnette, 38, worked at Hudson Middle School as an in-school security monitor and is being investigated for giving one of those vapes to a 12-year-old student.

According to court documents, surveillance video caught Burnette exchanging the vape with the student and waiting outside the bathroom while she smoked.

Other staff members at the school reported smelling marijuana in the restroom, and brought the student to the office.

When being questioned, the student allegedly admitted that Burnette gave her the vape pen, which she took two "puffs" from in the bathroom before giving it back to him.

A search warrant uncovered that Burnette had four THC pens and two loaded handguns in his vehicle on the campus of the middle school.

He was arrested in November on a charge of unlawful transaction with a minor for providing the vape pen to the 12-year-old. Thursday, he was arraigned on felony charges of trafficking marijuana and trafficking drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Burnette is expected to be back in court in February for a hearing on the charge of unlawful transaction with a minor.

JCPS said in his role as a security monitor, Burnette had no police powers, monitored hallways and cafeterias, and helped walk students to the school office when requested. A spokesperson for the district said Burnette is currently "reassigned."

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JCPS employee caught giving THC vape pen to 12-year-old student facing felony charges