The DUI mugshot of Cross Creek principal LaQuanda Carpenter has gone viral.
Carpenter, 50, was arrested by North Augusta police around 1 a.m. Sunday for driving under the influence, specifically blowing between .10 and .15 BAC, according to Aiken County booking records.
Dr. Carpenter, who has been principal of Cross Creek High School since the summer, is a resident of North Augusta. While details of the DUI were not immediately available because of the holiday, her photo was posted online and was shared by dozens with over 100 comments.
“Them kids drove her to drinking,” said one resident. Another defended her drinking before the holidays, “It’s the holidays and she was just celebrating, but she should have known better to not get behind the wheel.”
A Cross Creek parent also chimed in: “She needs to be fired! She’s supposed to be setting a good example for these young adults.”
According to her LinkedIn file, Dr. Carpenter lived in Kansas City until 2020, when she moved to the Augusta area and started working for the Richmond County School District.
Her mission statement: “I help advance educational equity and shape vibrant school cultures by fostering inclusive learning environments, driving innovative curriculum development, and empowering educators to transform student lives.”
The Richmond County School District has not announced the DUI arrest or any actions, and she remains listed on the district website as Cross Creek principal.
She previously worked in Newton County School System in Georgia, where her departure as principal of Alcovy High School over a decade ago was mired in controversy and resulted in a lawsuit that was eventually settled.
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) decided not to investigate her in 2013 regarding allegations of alcohol use and misuse of school funds. The complaint, filed by Newton County Board of Education member Jeff Meadors, was based on information he obtained during litigation discovery, according to media reports.
The allegations stemmed from a 2010 band trip to Florida, where Carpenter was accused of being under the influence of alcohol while attending a school-related event. Additionally, the complaint raised concerns about missing school club funds. However, after an internal investigation by the Newton County School System, Superintendent Gary Mathews found no evidence to support disciplinary action, although he noted that better record-keeping was needed.
In response to the allegations, Carpenter filed a defamation lawsuit against Meadors in October, which she later withdrew. After the PSC reviewed the complaint, they concluded that there was no probable cause to investigate further, effectively ending the matter. Carpenter, who had been on maternity leave, resigned from her position with the Newton County School System on Feb. 1, 2013. The PSC’s decision not to pursue the investigation closed the case, as no substantial evidence was found to justify further action against the former principal.
