Former volunteer faces drug charges
By Glenn Smith
Burnell
An ex-convict who once volunteered with the North Charleston High School basketball team will be barred from returning to the program after a weekend arrest on drunken driving and drug charges, authorities said.
Antwan Burnell, 30, likely would have been barred from rejoining the program this year anyway under a new screening system aimed at weeding out volunteer coaches with criminal records, school officials said.
At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Burnell was a standout player during his years at North Charleston High, helping to lead the Cougars to a state championship in 1997. But in the years that followed, Burnell was arrested multiple times on drug charges and served prison time for crack cocaine possession and aggravated assault, state records show.
Burnell returned to his old school to help out with the basketball program during the 2006-07 school year. He was a statistician for the boys' team that season but didn't return last year to help out again, according to Fred P. Moore Jr., North Charleston High's principal.
Early Sunday, North Charleston police officers found Burnell passed out behind the wheel of a Pontiac Grand Prix stopped at a traffic light at Rivers Avenue and Ashley Phosphate Road, police said. The car was still in drive, but Burnell's foot was resting on the brake, police said.
Officers found a cup of vodka in the car's drink holder and an open beer beside the center console. When he woke up, Burnell also handed over a small bag of marijuana from his pocket, police said.
Burnell is charged with driving under the influence, marijuana possession, having open containers of alcohol in his vehicle, providing false information to police and driving under suspension. He also had outstanding Family Court bench warrants from Dorchester County, police said.
Burnell could not be reached for comment Monday.
Burnell will not be allowed around students at the school, and his prior record almost certainly would have precluded him from returning as a volunteer, said Elliot Smalley, executive director of communications for the Charleston County School District. School officials this year began conducting criminal background checks on volunteers to ensure those who work with students have clean records, he said.
"No one incident precipitated this process," he said. "It just makes good sense."
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postand courier.com.
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moonpie (anonymous) says...
Unbelievable people still drive like this.
September 9, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jackson707 (anonymous) says...
This should you how the school systems will allow anyone to be around our children. The school system sucks.
September 9, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lantanagurl (anonymous) says...
are you crochety old men or what who post negative comments? always looking for the negative in a story. Did you notice the story said the school is implementing a better screening policy and this guy would have been weeded out anyway? Did you also notice that ALL ex-offenders would be barred from volunteering? Does that mean a person who was in arrears in their child support and who spent time in jail, but are now current and doing the right thing can no longer be a volunteer? Bit extreme don't you think? Especially when you see what the heck these children LIVE with anyway!!!
September 9, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
lantanagurl Are you kidding?Yes NOW they have a system to check these people's records.This man has priors for drugs,which is bad enough.But for all the school knew he couldve been a child molester or rapist-they obviously don't check.This is scary as hell knowing these people spend time with our kids and they arent even checked out-absolutely pitiful!
September 9, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lantanagurl (anonymous) says...
he was violent in what way?
September 9, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
IMO aggravated assault tends to be kinda violent.
Usually, I have noticed, people that have been in trouble with the law and/or associate with someone that has tend to be sympathetic towards criminals. They are also all about "second" chances.
You don't ever get "second chances" and then be allowed to deal with children.
September 9, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Why was a SLED check not run on him in the beginning? He had a prior record, so he would have been stopped from volunteering period.
I have done volunteer work and had SLED checks run on me numerous times. The school screwed up majorly.
September 9, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Most schools don't do background checks on volunteers because they are so happy to have them.
September 9, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
konphidence (anonymous) says...
When I was 25, i was in a bar room fight with a guy. Got arrested and charged with? Aggravated Assault with high nature... A little overboard, I say. when I went to city lock-up, the jail officer moved me from the general holding cell and placed me in seperate cell along. His words were ' you look like you don't belong in here". People in jail are animals, I swore when I got out I was NEVER getting arrested or going to jail again....... So the aggravated assault charge is vastly over used in my opinion....... Hey I had a private attorney that got my record expunged and now i am clean..... NVR Get Arrested, its not pretty.
September 9, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
forget (anonymous) says...
Mr. konphidence - his assault charge is attached to drug charges. I believe the scenario was entirely different.
September 9, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
"Most schools don't do background checks on volunteers because they are so happy to have them."
and don't think the molesters and addicts don't know this!
he should have been checked out first...school screwed up
September 9, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
That was my point, commonsense. Those criminals take full advantage of that fact. That is why the schools should do 100% background checks on volunteers. I wouldn't want someone with an extensive criminal history having full access to my children.
September 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I know it may sound extreme to some but I believe in full criminal background checks for anyone working/volunteering anywhere on school property.Last year my daughters school was having work done.They had loads of seedy looking characters all over.(smoking cigarettes on school property to boot)I thought at the time damn I hope they check these people out.It would be easy access for a sicko to get access to our children.
September 9, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
CFB, that is not extreme at all. We need to be aware of who is allowed free and total access to our children daily. I expect every measure to be taken to protect my children when I am not able to do so personally. That is why I refuse to sign those sheets stating that the school cannot be held responsible if something happens to my child while they are in the school's care (and I black that part out on the permission slips that are sent out for field trips as well).
Well, who is responsible? Certainly not a 5, 7, 10, or 11 year old. If that was the case, I should be able to leave them at home unattended whenever I want with no reprecussions from the law!
September 9, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MountP (anonymous) says...
I have volunteered the past couple of years as a coach at Wando, and have had to submit to a SLED check well before the season started each year. I have no problem with this, and I would hope that each and every school does this. For once the school district got something right.
September 9, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
MountP, unfortunately, not every school does this and if they do, they don't follow the correct channels or wait for the check to come back before they allow the volunteer access to the kids. I know, I volunteered at my kids' schools for years and NEVER had to fill out forms giving them permission to check me. Now that I think about it, I am going to call my kids' schools today and find out what their procedures are as far as volunteers go.
September 9, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Lovely_One I agree with you 100%.I think I will call the school today as well.
September 9, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jane_doe01 (anonymous) says...
i cant believe the school did not do a backgroud check on him from the beginning. and where are the parents? they need to be more concerned who their children hang around because im sure that people in the neighborhood knew he was still on drugs. this school system needs to do better...a whole lot better
September 9, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
All you self righteous apathetic freaks. The man has problems, clearly, but it seems to me that there is still a lot of humanity in this fellow, if it is not stewed out by the "justice" system.
What stands out most about this fellow is a pattern of reckless SELF destructive hopelessness but yet he volunteered his time to children with no apparent record of nothing but doing good for children according to this article.
One of the multitude of crosses to bear in this life is that of an intelligent "black" male living the life of indignity due to circumstances that are truly outside of his control more often than when he is empowered to establish gainful employment worthy of sustaining a family as the major provider, sole provider or simply carrying his own weight, sadly, a material sociological factor in any male that sits near if not at the apex of his psyche.
A "black" male who does not absolutely toe the line, has the highest odds of being a subject of the so called "justice" system more than any other demographic, taking all challengers because this is not a debate or selling point but simply a fact. Ask yourself, why is it whenever you see a person released from prison for a crime they did not commit, it is almost always a "black" male??? All I can say to young "black" males is, toe the line or else. In spite of toeing the line sometimes there is nothing else but a "justice" system, economic system and "educational" system chomping at the bit to cut off this segment of society at the very pre-occupation of the Reverend Jessie Jackson which was the cutting of a certain portion of the male anatomy, a symbolic lynching and Freudian slip of the tongue by one who is intimately familiar with civil rights, ooh the irony.... The self destruction is inherent... Take a bow those who relish in this fact. You have out done yourself with an impeccable job.
All that said, Barack Obama is a man among men for bearing this cross, RESPECT THAT.
Most of you seem to be more content with spending $30,000+ a year to throw this basketball STATISTICIAN in jail, then to send him to AA and then to college to get his PH.D. Em hum, the thought pricks some of the hearts of you out there, the thought of this man gaining a Ph.D. in STATISTICS. You should be honest with yourself regarding the emotion of "crabs in a bucket" envy directed mostly at those who do not look, talk or culturally act like you.
You among us who is without deviation from "THE" path cast the first stone, you self righteous apathetic freaks.
I, ungrudgingly, wish you all well.
September 9, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
"One of the multitude of crosses to bear in this life is that of an intelligent "black" male living the life of indignity due to circumstances that are truly outside of his control..."
He had control. And even if after rehab he couldn't fight the addiction he should have known better than to volunteer in the school system. His past and CURRENT problems not only tarnished his own reputation but those who entrusted the care of their children to him.
I can commend him for wanting to volunteer and I do. But your words are reminiscent of the excuses people make for their bad behavior.
As horrible as bigotry and racism is, it cannot be the basis or the catalyst for bad behavior. Yes, there are innocent people made to suffer in the penal system. Yes, racial profiling still exists as do jury nullification. But to excuse poor decision making by this gentleman solely on racism is, at best, simplistic and naÃive.
Also to address the issue of spending tens of thousands a year incarcerating as opposed to spending far less rehabilitating, I can certainly see both sides of the argument. However, in this case this gentleman clearly broke the law and punishment MUST come before rehab. Apparently he has drug/alcohol issues that he either didn't try to curb or has failed to. In either case this entire situation is sad not only for him but the children he probably tried to mentor.
September 9, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
commonsence (anonymous) says...
MS...I'd like to know when towing the line became a bad thing (for any race).
September 9, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Eyfigueroa,
I think very highly of you and I tend to agree with much of what you have to say however is it not the ultimate rehabilitation to donate your services to those who may deviate from the path as you have? Takes one to know one theory... Specifically, the children of North Charleston High School in which this gentleman is an alumnus? Do you not think this guy looks at some of these kids and completely identifies with them??? Yet he knows what the wrong path will do for you... This man carries volumes of insight on this plight.
You are dead wrong about barring this guy from helping urban adolescents. Yes, he needs a program (spiritual, rehabilitative and possible medical because it is insane to drive so drunk you pass out at the wheel waiting at a stop light) and I hope the "justice" system recognizes this but as long as he has NOT harmed any children, I do not see what it would accomplish to isolate him from an activity that gives young urban youth something to do besides becoming a PC news article for John Public to berate their mistakes...
I am also disappointed in the fact that you have jump to the conclusion that I feel this gentleman should not be punished... Where did I say that? Are you just typing to see your words in black and white. You know me better than that Eyfigueroa....
Lastly, with my limited perspective of a single life experience (inherently paradoxical for each individual that is why I don't pass judgement regarding the cross that women bear or the plight of our muslim sisters and brothers), I realize the debate regarding the self destructive "black" male psyche can not be proven to be the result of a "justice" system (it is a fact court system unfairly biased), economic system (lending practices that are racially based is a fact) and "educational" system (compare a predominately "black" school to a "white" school in Mt. Pleasant and you got your answer on that one) chomping at the bit to emasculate the "black" male as did the countless lynchings of the past however the omnipresence knows all fact from opinion.
I may be wrong Eyfigueroa about my sociological theory regarding "black" male insanity. I am employed as a college administrator and this is well outside my expertise but yes, I said it, INSANITY because that is what it is. What is your explanation for the extreme self destructive actions of "black" males seen everyday on PC or what is your explanation for the insanity that would make a man who volunteers to help children, doing statistics for them and coaching them drive around drunk enough to pass out at the red light? I am at a loss for solutions since I have heard your rebuttal a hundred times if I have only heard it once.
September 9, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Toeing the line is not a bad thing however there is a different litmus test for some than others.
September 9, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MinoritySouth (anonymous) says...
Litmus test is a euphemism for an ENTIRE social system that seems to be generally as opposed to absolutely biased against "black" males doing anything short of being athletes or something in the arena, no pun intended, of entertainment. Again, this is a fact based generalization and not an absolute truth for all of you who will soon be on the attack of my OPINION but if it is just by chance true, it would drive some of the best among us to insanity.
September 9, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
Why thank you hockeymoms.
It pleases the Goddess to know that some of the little people are still worshiping her.
(Not that I'm surprised mind you)
September 9, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BPFROM843 (anonymous) says...
so why would he be a bad person to help kids maybe he can use his experiences and past troubles to help with the kids and steer them in the right direction the kids would listen to him more than they would one of you "PERFECT" citizans that never broke the law or had one to many beers and drove home or smoked a joint or did a line anything what so ever we need more people like him its not like hes goin to recruit the kids to sell drugs for him
September 10, 2008 at 2:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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