Teacher From Barnegat Snorted Morphine At Classroom Desk: Cops

An elementary school teacher in Ocean County faces serious charges of official misconduct and morphine possession after he was arrested this week, prosecutors say. He allegedly snorted morphine at his classroom desk.

Prosecutors say he ingested the substance at his classroom desk during school hours while around teachers and students.

Michael Palladino, 43, of Barnegat was also charged Monday with possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. Palladino is a teacher at the Eagleswood Elementary School.

Palladino apparently used a ballpoint pen case to snort the morphine while at his desk, according to prosecutors. He kept the ballpoint pen case in his classroom desk drawer, prosecutors say, and drug residue was found on it.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the arrest Friday and Eaglewood officials did not immediately respond to comment.

Palladino's salary is $59,030 per year, according to the state Department of Education.

Palladino was not jailed 0n the charges, the OCPO said.

This is a developing story. We'll have more information as it comes in.

Eagleswood Township Elementary School photo