Drug charges filed against Zion-Benton school administrator

Zion police have arrested a Zion-Benton Township High School administrator after finding evidence of a marijuana growing operation in the basement of her residence.

Candace Blanton, 38, of the 2700 block of Emmaus Avenue, Zion, was charged with unlawful possession of a Cannabis Sativa plant, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and a felony charge of obstructing justice, police said in a news release Tuesday.

The charges came after a search warrant was executed at her home Feb. 1. Police said Blanton has been released from custody in lieu of a $150,000 recognizance bond.

Blanton works as a freshman and sophomore dean at Zion-Benton High School, according to the school's Web site.

In a news release Tuesday, school officials said "based on information received from the Zion Police Department... the administration has placed Ms. Blanton on paid administrative leave pending further investigation of the charges."