A Maryville City Schools physical education teacher, Alex Rouse, has been placed on suspension after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and possession of narcotics. According to WBIR, Rouse was arrested on Friday last week around 2:30 p.m. after a traffic stop by an Alcoa Police Department officer.
The situation started when dispatch received reports of a red Toyota driving erratically on Pellissippi Parkway into Alcoa. "The vehicle was in and out of ditches and was traveling at a high rate of speed," as noted on a WATE report. The officer who stopped Rouse said that he appeared startled and could not find his driver's license. During sobriety tests, including the "Walk and Turn" and "One Leg Stand," Rouse showed signs of impairment.
An Alcoa Police Department K-9 unit alerted to Rouse's vehicle, leading to the discovery of a folded piece of paper containing a brownish-pink powder, which was later identified as fentanyl. "Based on the totality of the circumstances, I determined Rouse was under the influence of an intoxicant and/or drug," the officer stated, according to WATE.
After finding the fentanyl, Rouse was taken to the Blount County Jail, where a blood draw was conducted after a warrant was secured. During the procedure, Rouse reportedly "talked about going to rehab," as noted in the WBIR report.
Maryville City Schools suspended Rouse following the arrest, with Director of Schools Dr. Mike Winstead saying, "On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Maryville City Schools received a report regarding the recent arrest of a teacher. Director of Schools Dr. Mike Winstead soon placed that teacher on suspension status as his criminal charges remain pending. As Maryville City Schools cannot speak to the facts surrounding those criminal charges, however, the school system would refer all other related questions to the Alcoa Police Department," as conveyed in an email to WVLT News.
