Frio County sheriff's deputies arrested a Pearsall Independent School District employee on Wednesday after finding cocaine that officials say was packaged for sale inside her home. The woman, identified by authorities as Heather Leal, is listed on district pages as a secretary at Pearsall High School. Deputies executed a narcotics search warrant at the residence, which sits near Ted Flores Elementary, as reported by KSAT.
According to KSAT, deputies said the cocaine was packaged for sale and that Leal faces a felony drug-possession charge. The sheriff's office told the outlet the charge carries an enhancement because Leal's home is within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. KSAT reported the district did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Frio County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency handling criminal investigations in the county and provides guidance on custody and public records. The county website lists the sheriff's main office in Pearsall and directs the public to VINELink to check custody status.
Drug-Free Zone Law Could Raise Penalties
Under Texas law, drug-related offenses committed in, on, or within 1,000 feet of a school or playground can trigger enhanced penalties. The statute commonly cited is Texas Health and Safety Code §481.134, which allows prosecutors to seek higher minimum terms and steeper fines if the enhancement is proven.
District Response And What Happens Next
As KSAT notes, Pearsall ISD staff listings identify Leal as a high school secretary and the district had not immediately replied to requests for comment. Charging paperwork and any arraignment dates will be entered in Frio County court records, which are posted online in public dockets such as the county's docket listing.
Next Steps For The Case
Prosecutors will review the sheriff's investigation and decide whether to pursue formal indictments or file charges, and any drug-free-zone enhancement would be alleged in those court documents. Families and residents looking to follow the case can check public court dockets and the county sheriff's site for official postings and filings.
