CLINTON COUNTY — A former Centralia High School social studies teacher has been sentenced in Clinton County Court to 2-years probation after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

James White was also ordered to pay $1,000 and costs, a $500 drug assessment, and complete 30 hours of public service work. Per the plea agreement, a misdemeanor charge of possession of 10 to 30 grams of cannabis was dismissed.

White was arrested over the summer when during a traffic stop on Illinois Route 161 west of Route 127 Clinton County Sheriff’s Deputies found cocaine and cannabis in White’s car

Deputies searched White’s vehicle after the Clinton County canine alerted on the vehicle twice. White had agreed to allow the canine to walk around the vehicle after deputies found open alcohol in the vehicle and determined White should not be driving.

White resigned from Centralia High School after the incident. He had taught at the school for 30 years.