Houston County football coach, teacher arrested in rural Georgia drug operation
A Houston County football coach and teacher was arrested Sunday after he allegedly distributed drugs throughout a rural Georgia community, according to the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
Kerrion Smith, a school teacher and football coach at Veterans High School, was one of three suspects in a months-long drug investigation, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
“The case began in January after investigators received information that Kerrion Smith... was allegedly transporting pounds of marijuana into Ben Hill County for distribution throughout the county,” deputies said on Facebook.
Deputies served a search warrant at a home on the 300 block of West Orange Street in Fitzgerald, according to the sheriff’s office. It was unclear where deputies arrested the suspects or found the evidence.
Smith was accused of “transporting pounds of marijuana into Ben Hill County from the residence,” deputies said. “The residence is located within 1,000 feet of the former Fitzgerald High School campus, which is still utilized by staff and students for various activities.”
Deputies seized around 581 grams, or 1.28 lbs, of marijuana, three handguns, two vehicles and more than $4,800, the Facebook post said.
The sheriff’s office called Smith and others a “drug distributor and organization.”
They were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and other felony charges. It was unclear if or where they were incarcerated by Monday afternoon.
Houston County School District spokesperson Jennifer Jones said the district is aware of reports regarding Smith’s arrest.
“Because this is an active legal matter and a personnel issue, we are limited in what we can share at this time; however, we can confirm that this individual is not currently at the school,” Jones said in an email on March 2.
Jones added that the district takes all matters involving employee conduct seriously, as it is following “established district procedures in accordance with board policy and employment laws. “
This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM.
