Lincoln teacher, two residents arraigned after alleged drug deal

WARREN — A Lincoln High School teacher and two residents are facing criminal charges after an alleged drug transaction Dec. 31 in the parking lot of a convenience store.

On Jan. 3, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office issued a news release alleging that Lincoln High School health/physical education teacher Christopher Filiccia parked at 7-Eleven at 12 Mile and Schoenherr roads. According to the release, a truck driven by Deangelo Daniel parked next to Filiccia a short time later and a brief transaction allegedly took place in Daniel’s truck. Both men reportedly left the parking lot in their respective vehicles. 

A traffic stop was conducted on Filiccia’s vehicle, at which point Warren officers located suspected narcotics. When officers attempted to stop Daniel’s vehicle, he reportedly fled but was eventually apprehended. According to the news release, a search warrant was executed at Daniel’s residence where he reportedly resides with Racquel Dubose and their children. Narcotics and firearms were allegedly found in the home and were allegedly accessible to the children. A third traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle driven by Dubose and a stolen firearm was allegedly found in her vehicle. 

Filiccia, 46, was charged with possession of a controlled substance less than 25 grams, a four-year felony. On Jan. 3, he was arraigned in the 37th Warren District Court where Judge Suzanne Faunce set a $5,000 personal bond.

Daniel, 42, and Dubose, 35, both of Warren, were also arraigned Jan. 3 before Faunce. The judge set bond at $200,000 cash/surety for Daniel, and $50,000 cash/surety for Dubose.  

Daniel and Dubose were both charged with delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance 50-449 grams, a 20-year felony; receiving and concealing a firearm, a 10-year felony; delivery/manufacture of controlled substance less than 50 grams, a 20-year felony; maintaining a drug house, a two-year high court misdemeanor; and five counts of fourth-degree child abuse, a one-year misdemeanor. They also both face a felony weapons offense that carries a mandatory two-year sentence upon conviction. 

Additionally, Daniel was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a five-year felony; and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony.

Dubose also was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a five-year felony; and a second felony weapons offense.

All three defendants are due back in court for a probable cause conference at 8:45 a.m. Jan. 16 in front of 37th District Court Judge Steve Bieda. Court documents did not list attorneys for the defendants. 

“The charges brought against these individuals are deeply troubling, particularly given their roles within the community,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said in a prepared statement. “One is entrusted with shaping the minds of our youth as a teacher, and the other two are parents. The impact of their alleged actions fractures the trust within our schools, destabilizes families, and casts a shadow over our community’s sense of safety.”

The arrest occurred during the holiday break for staff and students. Filiccia is currently on paid leave from his teaching position and a substitute teacher is in place, according to Van Dyke Public Schools Superintendent Piper Bognar. On Jan. 3, Bognar posted a letter to the district’s website and Facebook page about the drug charge. 

“There is no place for drugs in our schools, and there is no exception,” Bognar said.
She also wants Filiccia to get the help he needs. 

“The disease of addiction is truly awful,” Bognar said. “Understand that this individual has a family and deserves some privacy and dignity.” 

She added the incident did not happen at school, during work hours or near children. No drugs or drug-related activity were ever observed when Filiccia was in school, her letter stated. 

She also disagreed with Lucido’s “fractures the trust” comments.

“I believe this gives us the opportunity to come together to learn, help and move forward toward a drug-free community with compassion,” she said in her letter. “The subject of drug use is never an easy one to tackle but we can do it together.”

Call Staff Writer Maria Allard at (586) 498-1045.