A longtime Long Island high school football coach was among a dozen suspects arrested in connection to an alleged drug trafficking ring, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Kito Lockwood, 49, a coach at Malverne High School, was hit with multiple weapons charges by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, but his lawyer reportedly claimed he was inadvertently caught up in the investigation.
Nassau prosecutors said Thursday that authorities uncovered a drug trafficking operation involving cocaine, crack and fentanyl over a nine-month investigation.
The drugs were allegedly peddled in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Lockwood is not facing any drug or conspiracy charges, but was hit with three counts of criminal possession of a firearm and three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, the district attorney’s office said.
He faces a maximum of seven years in prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty.
“The individual is an employee of the district, as well as a coach,” Malverne Superintendent Lorna Lewis said in a statement to Newsday. We are aware of the allegations , and do not have any comment at this time.”
Lockwood’s lawyer told the newspaper his client was caught up in the investigation by accident after he slept over a friend’s house and woke up to a police raid where guns were found in the home.
The guns and weapons did not belong to Lockwood, lawyer Frederick Brewington said.
“He went to watch a basketball game at a friend’s house,” he said. “He just happened to be in the house … He had a couple drinks, decided not to drive home, and then he woke up to a raid.”
Lockwood, in his 15th year as Malverne’s football coach, was on the sideline Thursday night for a game, Newsday reported.
“Outside of him being a coach, he’s a role model for our kids,” Malverne parent Felisha Tucker told CBS 2, adding. “Yes, the accusations are bad, however I know without a shadow of a doubt that Kito Lockwood is innocent.”
“He does a lot for these kids and always shows up. Always shows up and that’s important, so before we assume, we need to know the true facts,” Malverne parent Stacey Lewis told the outlet.
Another parent, Angel Cartagena reportedly said, “When we hear stuff like that, it’s concerning.”
Others charged in investigation could face more jail time if convicted.
Christopher Corley, 47, was charged on a slew of drug counts, including operating as a major trafficker, the DA’s office said.
He could face 25 years to life if convicted.
James Anthony Alexander and Janeathea Nealy, 36, were hit with second-degree conspiracy and other drug charges, prosecutors said.
They could face as much as 20 years in prison if found guilty.
