The Cottonwood community was shaken on August 14, 2024, as police arrested Damian Andre, a 50-year-old teacher at Cottonwood Verde Tech School, for allegedly supplying marijuana and tobacco to a minor. Andre, who resides in Camp Verde, is accused of providing marijuana vaping fluid to one of his 15-year-old students, an act that led to his immediate arrest following a thorough investigation.
According to authorities, the marijuana vaping fluid was delivered directly to the school, where Andre then handed it over to the student. The investigation into these allegations was initiated after the student’s parent came forward to report the teacher’s inappropriate behavior to the police.
The Cottonwood Police Department expressed gratitude to the vigilant parent who raised the alarm, as well as to the administrators at Cottonwood Verde Tech School for their cooperation throughout the investigation. The department emphasized the critical role that community involvement plays in safeguarding students, urging anyone with additional information or concerns to reach out.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant to protect our children,” said a spokesperson for the Cottonwood Police Department. “We encourage anyone who has information or suspicions regarding this case, or similar incidents, to come forward and help us ensure the safety and well-being of our youth.”
Residents are encouraged to contact the Cottonwood Police Department at 928-634-4246 or submit a tip via their website at https://cottonwoodaz.gov/328/Police-Department.
