Police say teacher had crack cocaine

EAST AURORA, N.Y. (WIVB) - An East Aurora science and technology teacher is in trouble with the law after a drug arrest on the streets of Buffalo.

Officers say they found crack cocaine inside 36-year-old Ryan Ellis' car when they stopped Monday night on the east side of Buffalo. The teacher, who lives in Tonawanda, was stopped at Goodyear and East Ferry for a traffic violation, according to police.

Ellis arraigned in Buffalo City Court Tuesday morning and is charged with possession of a controlled substance. This is not his first run in with the law.

In August of 2009, Ellis was charged with DWI and petit larceny in Tonawanda. And In January of 2001, he pleaded guilty to bringing the drug "ecstasy" to a party where a person fatally overdosed on the drug.

Ellis is a teacher in the East Aurora school district and he is also the school's golf coach. He also coaches youth baseball and basketball in East Aurora. The question remains: did administrators know about his previous arrests?

News 4 tried to reach the East Aurora Superintendent. Our numerous attempts for an interview or to receive a statement were not returned. We also tried to reach the school's attorney or the school board president, but our calls were not returned.

According to SeeThroughNY.com, Ellis is paid just under $50,000 a year.

RELATED | SeeThroughNY.com provides the salaries of public employees, including teachers. You can search through the data for yourself here

After his arrest, Ellis was released without bail. He is due back in court on January 10th.

The East Aurora School Board has a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night. There is no word if Ellis' arrest will be addressed.