Suffolk teacher charged with third-offense DWI

SUFFOLK

A King’s Fork High School teacher was arrested last week and charged with driving while intoxicated.

The charge was filed against Robert Lamar Rogers, 42, on Thursday after an officer pulled him over at 1:30 a.m. in the 3700 block of Surry Road in Virginia Beach near his residence, according to police and online court records. The records indicate that this is Roger’s third offense within five to 10 years. The latest charge is considered a felony.

Hired by the Suffolk school system in August 2008, Rogers teaches social studies at King’s Fork High, according to an employee database provided to The Pilot in the fall. The school website lists him as a government and sociology teacher.

School division spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw confirmed that Rogers is an employee but declined to comment on what – if any – action will be taken.

“Personnel matters such as this cannot be discussed with the media,” Bradshaw said in an email. “But in general, please note that the school division works diligently to employ the best employees. We do a criminal background check, contact the applicant’s references, review transcripts and licenses, and conduct interviews.”

Applicants are required to disclose criminal convictions, other than minor traffic violations and juvenile offenses, according to School Board policy. The school system considers “the nature of the offense, the date of the offense, and the relationship between the offense and the position for which the applicant has sought.”

“Offenses which are incompatible with employment by the School Board include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) conviction of sexual offenses; (ii) conviction of crimes involving the taking of money or other property; (iii) conviction of violent crimes; (iv) conviction of drug-related offenses; and (v) conviction of crimes of moral turpitude.”

Rogers remains in custody at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, police said. He is scheduled to appear in Virginia Beach General District Court on May 5.

Pilot writer Kathy Adams contributed to this report.