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Volunteer Coach Arrested On Marijuana Charge

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: October 14, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - A volunteer assistant football coach at Hernando High School was arrested Friday night on a charge of possession of marijuana, according to a release from Brooksville police.

Walter S. Truzack, 23, of Brooksville, was issued a notice to appear in court for fewer than 20 grams of marijuana, the release states.

Police responded at about 11:30 p.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked behind a business at 1250 Broad St., in the South Plaza shopping center. Officers found Truzack and "another Hernando High football coach" sitting in the vehicle with an open six-pack of beer, the release states. Officers smelled marijuana and questioned the two men.

Truzack, who was behind the wheel, produced a small plastic bag of marijuana from his pocket and "stated that he and his passenger were football coaches for Hernando High School and (were) there to smoke and have a few beers after the game." Hernando lost at home to Crystal River, 20-3.

Police identified the second man as Stephen L. Stokes. Stokes is a science teacher at Hernando High and an assistant coach for the football team. He was not charged.

School officials, including Hernando High football coach and athletic director John Palmer, learned of Truzack's arrest Monday morning after being contacted by a Hernando Today reporter.

"He's been dismissed," Palmer said later in the day.

Truzack served as a line coach for the junior varsity and varsity squads for the Hernando High football team since the end of August, Palmer said. Palmer declined further comment.

Truzack was officially approved as a volunteer for school athletics on Sept. 12, Denise Moen, coordinator for the district's Volunteers In Education program, said in an e-mail Monday to Hernando Today.

"If a volunteer has an open criminal case, their volunteer status is revoked," Moen said.

Truzack couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Stokes won't face disciplinary action unless he is charged by police, Hernando High Principal Ken Pritz said.

"He's not done anything wrong at this point," Pritz said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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