Detroit Public Schools teacher arrested in Battle Creek on drug charges

(WXYZ) - Some of the kids at Paul Robeson Academy might be wondering where their math teacher has been. Wednesday he was facing a judge in a Battle Creek court room.

When police stopped Robert Earl Hatchett Jr. on I-94 near Battle Creek they found 101 grams of heroin and more than $22,000 in his SUV. He was arrested for drug possession and intent to deliver the confiscated heroin. The heroin has a street value of $30,000.

The Southfield man is also a 7th grade math teacher at Paul Robeson Academy of the Detroit Public Schools. He’s also a basketball coach for Detroit Central High School.

The incident has left some parents like Amanda Bates furious. She says, “Also, I wonder if he had it on him or in his system while he was teaching.”

While some parents are angry, others say he is a great teacher.

“We really think Mr. Hatchett is a perfect teacher, he’s been nothing but great," said parent Crystal Holloway.

When police arrested Hatchett on January 26th they found the drugs and the money in the vehicle hidden in trophy boxes.

Hatchett has been placed on administrative leave.

People who live by Hatchett are still perplexed.

“We help each other out, look out for each other, it’s just shocking, I can’t believe it," said family friend Tom James. James said the Hatchett's have three young children and have been living in Southfield off of 12 mile road in their community for at least four years. Another neighbor tells 7 Action News that his wife works as a pharmacist. “This is the last thing I would expect," said James.

7 Action News discovered from the state police, that Hatchett has another drug arrest in 1991. It was in Chicago but it's unclear what the arrest was for and if Hatchett was ever convicted. Hatchett has a long history of driving on a suspended license or driving without a license. No one was available at the Hatchett home for comment.

Action News pulled up Hatchett’s driving record—he has a long history of driving without a license and without proof of insurance.