A custodian at Indian Ridge Middle School in Davie was arrested on charges of cocaine possession found on the school's campus, officials said. Edward Berg, 63, who also led the school's facilities, was caught by surveillance video when a small plastic bag containing cocaine dropped from his pocket, Davie police confirmed. According to an arrest report obtained by Local 10 News, the white powdery substance weighed nearly one gram.
After his arrest last Friday, Berg also faces allegations of making inappropriate comments to students, which surfaced separately from the drug charges. While trying to put away his cellphone, the bag tied to his name managed to get identified through the diligent eyes of a security guard, who discovered it on the floor of the school's main hallway and delivered it to the school's resource officer.
Berg's drug charge has been compounded with concerns from a student regarding his behavior. A student and her mother, in a statement provided to NBC6, shared experiences of discomfort due to Berg's actions – including crude remarks about the student's appearance and inappropriate comments about her friends. Her mother pointed out that she had seen him entering and leaving the female restrooms, making her daughter uncomfortable to use the facilities.
In light of these allegations, Broward County Public Schools has placed Berg on administrative reassignment away from students, as they investigate all matters. Before unwittingly dropping his illicit carry-on, the baggie became the central piece of evidence for Berg's arrest, as per NBC6. This incident marks the second time a custodian from this middle school has been arrested, with a prior custody-taking event in April related to child pornography charges.
The district has assured ongoing investigations into both the drug possession and the improper conduct allegations against Berg. The administrative reassignment ensures Berg is no longer present on campus. He has since bonded out of jail for the current drug charge.
