Guidance counsellor at a Catholic school 'found with 50 bags of heroin and 150 needles while selling drug from her home'

Booked: Kelly Scherer, a 36-year-old guidance counselor at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh has been jailed on charges she sold heroin from her home

A guidance counsellor at a Catholic school has been accused of selling heroin from her home.



Kelly Scherer, a guidance counsellor at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, was arrested after police staged a sting operation at her home with an undercover officer buying drugs.



The 36-year-old allegedly handed over eight small bags of heroin to the officer.

Scherer, who had already been recently suspended from her position for poor job performance, was later sacked.



According to a police affidavit a week long operation was conducted on Scherer's home after a tip off that she was allegedly dealing drugs.



It began after the owner of Ms Scherer's apartment told police in July of 2011 he thought his tenant was dealing drugs.

In September of 2011, officers carried out surveillance and saw what they believed was a drug deal involving Ms Scherer outside her house.



Police said the buyer told them a heroin dealer set up the transaction.



Hours later, an undercover officer bought eight stamp bags of heroin from Ms Scherer, according to the affidavit.

Undercover: In an undercover sting officers allegedly bought eight small bags of heroin off the woman who had been suspended for poor job performance at this high school

Authorities said officers found about 150 needles and at least 50 stamp bags of suspected heroin in the apartment where she was arrested.



'This has been an ongoing investigation and this is basically the finale. We're happy to have her in jail and off our streets,' Forest Hills police Officer Chuck Williams said.

Police did not say why they had waited so long to arrest Scherer.



They said there was no evidence that she had sold drugs while at school.

Needles and bags: Authorities said officers found about 150 needles and at least 50 stamp bags of suspected heroin in the apartment, pictured, where she was arrested

A spokesman for the High School said: ‘Ms Scherer was on indefinite suspension from Central Catholic High at the time of her arrest. The suspension was due to unsatisfactory job performance.



‘On Thursday we learned Scherer was being investigated by the police for issues unrelated to her employment at Central Catholic High School.’

