Elementary school teacher, husband arrested on drug charges

Natalie Marie and Joel Pignataro

A Henry County kindergarten teacher and her husband were arrested after authorities say they found marijuana and other drugs they intended to sell.

Natalie Marie and Joel Pignataro, both 37, have bonded out of the Henry County jail on charges of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and THC oil vaping pens and possession of ecstasy, according to The Rockdale Citizen.

Neighbors’ complaints led authorities to search the Pignataros’ Locust Grove home about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Investigators found four pounds of marijuana, more than 20 THC oil vape pens and several ecstasy pills, the newspaper reported.

Natalie Marie Pignataro, a teacher at Rocky Creek Elementary and a Henry County Schools employee since 2005, was home during the search and arrested.

She no longer works for district, system spokesman John Hardin told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Joel Pignataro was arrested Sunday evening and faces an additional charge of possession of substances with intent to manufacture ecstasy, according to the Citizen.