LAAT QIN STATE OF FLORIDA ‘ EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION CHARLIE CRIST , as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. . Case No.: 989-0582-M RICHARD D. MEEKS, ~ — Respondent. : ‘ a ‘ / ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, CHARLIE CRIST, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against Richard D. Meeks. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 231.262 and 231.2615, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in Sections 231.262 (6) and 231.2615 (1), Florida Statutes. The Petitioner alleges: JURISDICTION 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 385805, covering the areas of -administration/supervision, social science and middle grades, which is valid through June 30, 2005. : 2. At all times pertinent hereto the Respondent was employed as a teacher at Bartow Middle School in the Polk County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about July 7, 1997, the Respondent fired a Glock 9mm semi-automatic gun two or more times at a semi-tractor trailer while both were traveling on a public highway in St. Cloud, Florida. 4. Based upon the aforesaid conduct, the Respondent was arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting from a vehicle and discharging a firearm in public. On July 22, 1998, the Respondent entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge of shooting into an occupied vehicle. The court withheld adjudication of guilt and placed the Respondent on five years of supervised probation, ordered him to undergo an anger management course, perform fifty hours of community service and possess no weapons during the probationary term. 5. On or about January 16, 1998, the Respondent committed retail theft of one or more items of merchandise from a Publix Supermarket. On January 30, 1998, the Respondent entered a plea df nolo contendere to the charge and the court withheld adjudication of guilt. The Respondent was fined, placed on probation for six months and ordered to have no contact with the victim. , ~ 6. On or about July 27, 2001, the Respondent broke into a home in Menifee County, Kentucky, by‘breaking down the door. He then assaulted the occupant of the home and removed'a child from the home. Based upon the aforesaid conduct, the Respondent was arrested and charged with the criminal offenses of burglary and menacing. 7. On or about July 27, 2001: the Respondent was in possession of a stolen license plate in Menifee County, Kentucky. The Respondent was arrested and charged with theft of a motor vehicle registration plate. ‘ STATUTORY VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section 231.2615 (1) (c), Florida Statutes, in that he has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude. COUNT 2: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section 231.2615 (1) (f), Florida Statutes, in that the Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces his effectiveness as an employee of the school board. > WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 231.262 (6) and 231.2615 (1), Florida Statutes, which penalty may include a reprimand, probation, restriction of the authorized scope of practice, administrative fine, suspension of the teaching certificate not to exceed three years, permanent revocation of the teaching certificate, or combination thereof, for the reasons set forth herein, and in accordance with the Explanation and Election of Rights forms which are attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference. EXECUTED onthis / 3 _ dayof fa brea cy , 2002. CHARLIE CRIST, as Commissioner of Education, State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 02-002752PL