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Teacher stands mute to three drug charges
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JANESVILLE - A former Brodhead Spanish teacher stood mute Wednesday in Rock County Court to charges accusing her of possessing heroin, oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Katherine L. Mielke, 31, of 11436 N. Dondor Road, Edgerton, faces two felony charges of possession of narcotic drugs and one misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Court Commissioner Stephen Meyer entered a not guilty plea for Mielke. She was ordered released on a signature bond.

Mielke was arrested after investigators stopped her vehicle at Highway 11 and Roherty Road east of Footville, Rock County sheriff's officials said.

Six packs of heroin, two oxycodone pills, eight hydrocodone pills and drug paraphernalia were found in her car, officials said.

The Rock County Special Investigations Unit had been investigating Mielke for several weeks after receiving a tip she was involved in drug activity, officials said.

Mielke was suspended from teaching after her arrest. She taught high school and eighth-grade Spanish. She started teaching in the district in 2004.

If convicted, Mielke faces up to seven years in prison and a $20,000 fine for the combined felony charges. She faces up to 30 days in the county jail and a $500 fine for the misdemeanor charge.

- Ted Sullivan is a reporter for the Janesville Gazette