A teacher at a Tucson Catholic school is arrested and indicted on charges of pot growing in his home.

Joshua Schwartz, 30, was busted after police responding to a burglary in progress at his home found the operation.

It all happened back in October although police just released details today.

When they responded to that call, no one was home but the back door was open.

While police were investigating the pot, Schwartz came home.

Middle school students at St. Ambrose Catholic School had gotten used to seeing their language arts teacher in class. Tonight they will see him in a different setting, on television above a grey cloth in a booking mug shot.

Bob Crumbley, Schwartz’ neighbor, says, “It’s like he’s disrespecting the profession and teachers deserve more than that.”

Crumbley lives across the street from Schwartz but did not know him and had not been to his house. “There was not a lot of noticeable traffic to that house so it’s not like you could tell something was going on,” he reveals.

Schwartz taught language arts to 6^th, 7^th and 8 ^th-grade students until last month when he was put on unpaid administrative leave.

“That’s sad, very sad and surprising,” admits Javier Teran, grandparent of a St. Ambrose student.    

Police arrested Schwartz at his house after they found marijuana. His neighbors say they had no idea.

Crumbley explains, “If I do hear any kind of noise or commotion, I come out right away to check and see.”

St. Ambrose’s principal sent students home with a letter explaining to parents, “None of the alleged criminal activity took place at the school…nor did it involve any student.” The letter went on to say, “Our Catholic faith teaches us not to judge others.”

This is not the first time Schwartz has had trouble with the law. Court records show he pleaded not guilty to involvement with marijuana ten years ago.

Courtesy: TPD

Monica Marquez, a St. Ambrose parent, admits, “[It] kind of angers me and scared me at the same time that somebody like that was around my kids.”

This was Schwartz’ first year teaching at St. Ambrose and administrators say he had never had any problems. They also say new teachers are subject to a background check.

It is possible Schwartz’ previous criminal charge never went anywhere. Meanwhile, the school has already found his replacement.