Drug Probe of Aide Hits Final Stages

The investigation of an unpaid Moorpark High assistant football coach accused of distributing drugs to team members is expected to conclude today when test results of samples of the substance are released, a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said Thursday.

Samples of pills reportedly distributed by Larry Preston, 22, of Simi Valley, have been sent to the county crime laboratory in Ventura for analysis. Should the substance prove to be narcotic, the case will be turned over to the district attorney’s office, and a determination will be made on whether to file charges, sheriff’s Lt. Jim Koontz said.

Police said Preston told them he gave several players salt tablets as “a placebo to give them an edge in the game.” Eleven players said that they took the substance, police said.

Preston was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Preston was dismissed Oct. 13 after meeting with school officials, who turned the matter over to police. Preston will not be reinstated, no matter what the test results indicate, a Moorpark school official said.

“We have a trust with these kids, and to give them anything without authorization is definitely against the rules,” said Mike Slater, the Moorpark School District superintendent. “If we get a kid with a note from home that says ‘give them an aspirin at 10 o’clock,’ we won’t do it. He will definitely not be back as an assistant.”