Teacher, Son of Trustee, Is Arrested in Drug Case

A Burbank junior high school teacher who is also the son of a local school board member was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of trafficking cocaine, authorities said.

William D. Hubbell, 32, was taken into custody a week after detectives from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Burbank Police Department observed him shipping a box of cocaine to Hawaii, according to Burbank Police Lt. Ed Skvarna.

The package, containing cocaine with an estimated street value of $80,000, was intercepted by DEA agents in Hilo, Hawaii, where they arrested a second man, authorities said.

Authorities declined to give the second man’s identity or discuss the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

“It is believed Hubbell was heavily involved in shipping large quantities of cocaine from Los Angeles to Hawaii,” Skvarna said in a statement. “Hubbell was arrested by Burbank Police Department narcotics detectives as he left work.”

Hubbell is the son of Burbank Unified School District board member Elena Hubbell, who was reached at her home late Wednesday. She confirmed the arrest of her son, whom she said had been a substitute teacher at John Muir Junior High School.

“At this point I know very little, so I can’t even comment on it,” she said. “He’s 32. He’s not a child that lives in my home or that I interact with on a daily basis.

“But I am his mother and love him and will support him. It hurts, because I love him so much I want the best for him. As a mother, I don’t care if he’s 5 or 50. But as a board member I will do what’s appropriate,” she said.

Burbank police turned William Hubbell over to federal authorities Wednesday. No arraignment date was immediately set.