Security guard fired after arrest

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 28, 2003
A former Meridian public school security guard ran into a night of trouble near Pachuta last month and it cost him his job.
Ernest Coleman, 47, was fired by the Meridian Public School District on April 29 one day after he was arrested shortly after midnight by Clarke County sheriff's deputies.
Coleman was charged with malicious mischief and two counts of simple assault. Coleman could not be reached for comment
Barry White, the Clarke County deputy who arrested Coleman, alleged that Coleman drove his city school district truck to his girlfriend's house and ran into a pine tree.
Sam Thompson, director of safety at Meridian Public Schools, said Coleman was on duty when he was arrested. Coleman was supposed to be patrolling the schools in the district.
Thompson said he fired Coleman before the next day.
Thompson said the city truck has been repaired and is back in service.