Lakewood Ranch High Teacher Faces Meth Charges

A Lakewood Ranch High School science teacher is out on administrative leave after Hardee County deputies found methamphetamine inside her and her husband’s home.

According to the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, members of the agency’s drug task force went to the Ona home of Hollis Ann Morantes, 32, and her husband Gabino Truelove Morantes, 37, on Wednesday looking for a man wanted by deputies in Desoto County.

The agency said Desoto deputies were looking for David Alday on outstanding warrants for battery on a law enforcement officer. Alday, an email from the Hardee sheriff’s office said, had fled from the Desoto County Sheriff’s Officer earlier on Wednesday in a vehicle traced to Hollis Morantes.

When deputies arrived at the home, the couple gave consent to search the property for Alday, the email said. Detectives found the vehicle Alday had been driving, but quickly learned he had left the home in a different vehicle also owned by the couple. They also were told Alday might have been in possession of the couple’s .270 caliber rifle.

The real problems for the Morantes began when deputies happened to notice drug paraphernalia in “plain view,” the email said. This paraphernalia field-tested positive for meth, the agency noted.

Detectives questioned Gabino Morantes, who told them he had smoked meth that morning. The couple then consented to a further search of their home, the email said.

“(Detectives) located more drugs and drug paraphernalia under the pillow where the husband, Gabino, was resting his head,” the email said. “Under the pillow was a pouch that was surrounded by lighters and a pack
of gum. Inside the pack of gum was a clear baggie that contained 3.8 grams of methamphetamine.”

The gum, detectives noted, was in reach of the couple’s 5-year-old child.

Hollis Morantes also told detectives she had more meth in her purse. Inside it, detectives found another 0.5 grams of the drug. They also found scales, pipes, baggies, synthetic urine and a cleansing agent for passing drug tests in the master bedroom.

A straw that tested positive for meth was found next to some of the child’s board games on the dining room table, the email said.

Hollis also admitted to using meth that day, detectives said.

Hollis and Gabino were both charged with possession of methamphetamines, child neglect and possession of drug paraphernalia. A relative picked up the child and the state was notified, the sheriff’s office noted.

The Manatee County School District has relieved Hollis Morantes of teaching duties pending a full investigation.

Booking photos courtesy of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office