Cranston elementary school janitor charged with cocaine possession

CRANSTON, R.I. — A janitor working at Garden City Elementary School is facing a drug possession charge after police say they were called to the school just before 10:00 p.m. Monday night.

Officers responded after receiving a report of an employee passed out inside the building.

Arrest details

When police arrived, they encountered 38-year-old Shane Gavin, who appeared to be under the influence, exhibiting slurred speech and enlarged pupils.

Before taking him to the hospital, police conducted a pat-down and said they found cocaine in his pocket.

Authorities also recovered a credit card, two straws, and two $1 bills that had a white substance on them.

Charges and response

Gavin was transported to a local hospital, where he was arraigned on a drug possession charge.

Cranston Public Schools said after a thorough review of the building was completed it was determined the school was safe to open the following morning. Officials declined to comment on personnel matters.

Previous incidents

This is one of many drug-related incidents involving school employees in Cranston in the less than a year.

In September 2025, a janitor at Garden City Elementary School was arrested for having fentanyl on campus. In a separate case, a teaching assistant at Chester W. Barrows Elementary School was arrested in March for cocaine possession.