The principal of Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem sold crystal methamphetamine to police informants three times this month, once in his school office, police say.
John Acerra, 50, of 832 Chestnut St., Allentown, was arrested Tuesday in his office, where police found
meth on his desk, according to arrest papers filed by Bethlehem police.
Acerra faces felony charges of possession with intent to deliver meth and delivery of the drug and related charges. He is in Lehigh County Prison today under $200,000 bail.
According to an arrest affidavit filed by Bethlehem police investigator Michael Mish:
On Tuesday, police set up a $200 deal with the informant and Acerra. The informant wore a listening device as he conducted the transaction inside the principal’s office at Nitschmann.
The informant left the building, and police entered Acerra’s office. Inside, they found him sitting at his desk with a clear bag of meth next to a glass tube with meth residue and burn marks on it. Also on the desk was the marked money the informant used to purchase the drug.
Acerra was arraigned late Tuesday before Coopersburg District Judge David Harding at night court in Allentown.
Acerra became Nitschmann principal in July 2000 with a salary of $80,467 a year. Before that, he was the school’s director of instruction and curriculum.
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