A Cheyenne elementary school principal is facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly getting drunk and fighting with police.

Fifty-one-year-old April A. Gates, the principal at Pioneer Park Elementary School, was arrested Saturday evening after police responded to a report of narcotics use in the 5800 block of Star Wood Court.

"Ms. Gates had called in and reported that she believed individuals across the street from the house she was at were smoking marijuana," said Sgt. David Janes. "She thought they might be gang members."

When officers informed Gates that the individuals were not gang members and were only smoking cigarettes, Janes says Gates became "very angry with them about it, saying that she didn't feel safe."

"She appeared intoxicated, had bloodshot eyes, odor of alcohol on her breath and was slurring her speech," said Janes.

When officers went to leave, Gates again confronted them.

"She started walking quickly and aggressively at one of the officers," said Janes.

"The officer told her multiple times to stop," added Janes. "She refused to stop and kept coming at the officer at which time she was placed under arrest for interference with an investigation, disobeying a lawful order and public intoxication."

Because it's a personnel matter, Laramie County School District 1 Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Tracey Kinney couldn't comment on Gates' case, but she did confirm that Gates "is still an employee of the district."

"We are aware of the issue," said Kinney, adding that "the district always attends to these issues until they're resolved."

Gates' arraignment is scheduled for September 11 at 9 a.m. in Cheyenne Municipal Court.

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