HOUSTON – The principal of one of Houston's YES preparatory schools was arrested Wednesday night by Houston narcotics officers who say he was carrying cocaine.
Hugh Buckler Guill, 28, was arrested after a traffic stop in the 2300 block of West Alabama at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday. Guill is charged with possession of a controlled substance. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released early Thursday morning.
Guill has been the principal of YES Prep-Gulfton at 6565 DeMoss since 2012. He started at the school as a teacher in 2010, after a stint teaching disadvantaged students with Teach for America.
Jose Ortega heard about the arrest Thursday afternoon when he came to the school to pick up his brother who is a student there.
"I'd just say it affects the school," Ortega said. "It is really bad. It makes the school look bad."
Houston police spokesman John Cannon says Guill drove into a narcotics stakeout Wednesday night. Narcotics officers were watching a Montrose business suspected of drug trafficking. Cannon says the officers saw Guill drive into the parking lot, go inside, and come out and leave in a matter of minutes.
When he was stopped about 2 1/2 miles away, Cannon says the officers found he was carrying powder cocaine.
Guill is schedule to appear in court Friday.
Superintendent Mark Dibella released a statement which read, "YES Prep maintains the highest standards of integrity and personal responsibility or all of our employees. At this time, we have suspended the employee in question and are cooperating with local authorities on this issue."
Guill was unavailable for comment.