Police: Former building inspector blamed 'probably meth' on girlfriend

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A now former building inspector who worked for Dunwoody and Doraville is facing charges he had drugs in his car.

An incident report obtained by Channel 2's Mike Petchenik says a Doraville officer spotted Scott Sprague making an illegal U-turn June 15 on Buford Highway.

“Sprague advised he was the city inspector for the city of Dunwoody and Doraville,” the report said.  “I noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the open driver’s side window of the vehicle.”

The report said a search of Sprague’s truck turned up a “leafy green” substance, a smoked marijuana cigarette, as well as drug residue in a straw.

“Sprague stated that the residue substance inside the straws was probably methamphetamine and it belongs to his girlfriend,” the report said.

Petchenik confirmed Sprague worked for a contractor for those cities and worked as a building inspector.

The report was not clear whether Sprague was on the job at the time of the traffic stop.

Police later charged Sprague with marijuana possession and for possessing drug-related objects, both misdemeanors.

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In a statement, the vice president of Clark Patterson Lee told Petchenik that Sprague was removed from his job after the arrest.

“After learning that Mr. Sprague was in possession of illegal substances, and after a conversation with him and the Doraville Police Department about the incident, we terminated his employment as of June 16, 2017,” the statement from Rich Edinger said.  “Mr. Sprague had been an employee since 11/23/2015 during which time he performed his job duties competently.”

A Dunwoody city spokesman sent Petchenik a statement about Sprague’s arrest.

“In his role as part-time building inspector, Mr. Sprague performed his job duties competently,” said city spokesman Bob Mullen.  “Following an initial review and assessment of inspection work he performed for the city, Clark Patterson Lee found his work to be thorough and consistent with industry standards.”

Doraville resident Abdullah Jobe said he was concerned to learn about the arrest.

“That’s crazy to me,” he said.  “It does concern me because I do live in Doraville.”

Dunwoody resident Anthony Delgado told Petchenik he’s concerned about the work Sprague may have done as a building inspector.

“He shouldn’t be in the position he was in.  We all make mistakes. Gotta have forgiveness in our heart,” he said.  “At the time he got the job, he might have been doing the right thing and got caught up in the situation he has no control over and it took over.”

Cox Media Group