Lori Beth MooreUPDATE: McCracken Poston, an attorney representing Lori Moore, said she gave other people "unfettered access" to her basement.
"Authorities came to the door asking about someone who did not live there by name who hasn't spent significant time in the house in over two years," Poston said in a statement. "Dr. Moore opened up her home to the officers at the door. It would be nice if officers used more discretion regarding the discovery of old, residual and unusable substances left behind by others."
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ORIGINAL STORY: Lori Beth Moore, a Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School teacher, was arrested last week for allegedly growing marijuana in her basement.
Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force Commander Pat Doyle said investigators received a tip that Moore was growing the drug in a home on Highway 136 East in Rising Fawn, Ga. They searched the home around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and Doyle said they found a station with lights, chemicals and potting soil in the basement, implying to them that Moore raised marijuana.
Also, they allegedly found dead marijuana plants and clippings of the drug next to the equipment, as well as two ounces of marijuana in her bedroom that was clipped, dried out and ready to be used. The task force arrested Moore on charges of manufacturing a drug with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule 1 drug, possession of drug related objects and possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime. (Doyle was not sure what specific gun Moore allegedly had.)
"The case is still under investigation, and there is a possibility of further arrest," Doyle said.
Moore, who teaches computer applications, did not immediately return a call or text message to a listed phone number today.
Catoosa County Schools Spokeswoman Marissa Brower said Moore is on administrative leave. The district's officials can hold a hearing on whether to terminate her contract, though they are still waiting for more information about the arrest before making any decision.