Some University of the Cumberlands students had a lot more to worry about Wednesday morning than final exams, like going to jail and a possible prison sentence.
Nearly a month after the University of the Cumberlands contacted law enforcement about suspected drug trafficking on campus, the Williamsburg Police Department and Operation UNITE arrested 10 students on drug trafficking charges.
"University officials initiated the actions leading to these arrests and will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement in conducting this ongoing investigation," University of the Cumberlands President Dr. James H. Taylor said in a press release.
Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that he commends the university’s efforts.
"They could have turned a blind eye to this whole thing, but they choose to take care of the problem," Bird said. "I think what has happened here today sends a strong message that they aren’t going to tolerate this kind of activity on campus. I commend the university for its efforts and I commend UNITE for its efforts also."
Bird said that the university first contacted his department about one month ago concerning a problem with narcotics on campus, and that he in turn contacted Operation UNITE resulting in the joint investigation.
"Through our efforts and UNITE’s efforts, after a month long investigation, we were able to arrest 10 people for the sale of narcotics here on campus," Bird said.
Dan Smoot, Operation UNITE Law Enforcement Director, said that police spent about a month using confidential informants to make drug purchases from students on campus.
Smoot said that authorities had to cut the investigation a little short because many of the students were loading up to go home for the summer.
Wednesday was the last major day for final exams.
"We have some other leads we are going to follow up on. It’s possible that other arrests could be made in the future," Smoot said.
There wasn’t a large quantity of drugs sold, Bird said.
"It was a few pills here, a few pills there, and a little bit of marijuana, but it was enough to draw some attention for sure," he noted. "I’m sure that the problem has always existed here, but on a much smaller level.
"Here lately, it has just grown everywhere, and it is affecting everybody, especially kids on campus and at high schools. It has grown everywhere in Kentucky. It just got out of hand."
Most of the drug trafficking charges deal with diverted pharmaceutical pills and that some deal with the sale of marijuana, Bird said.
"They are pretty serious charges," he said.
Charges filed
The arrested students include:
* Matthew Paul Croley, 20, of Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
* Cameron Leon Brooks, 20, of Williamsburg – trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
* Angelo Price, 24, of Williamsburg – two counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
* Joseph Robert Morales, 19, of Miami, Florida – advertising a controlled substance in non-approved pub, first offense.
* Marcus Oda, 19, of Williamsburg – trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
* Jaron Micaiah Singley, 20, of Corbin – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
* Alexander Roepe, 21, of Williamsburg – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
* Karlos Quatez Scott, 21, of Hawkinsville, Ga. – trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
* David Ryan Overy, 20, of Berkley, Michigan – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
* Charles Simmons, 24, of Williamsburg – trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.
The arrested students could also face disciplinary action at the school, including suspension or termination.
"More than likely, they will be asked not to return," noted University of the Cumberlands Vice-President for Students Services Dr. Michael Colegrove.
Second bust on a campus
Smoot said that this is only the second drug round-up that his agency has done on a college or university campus.
The first was about four to five years ago at Morehead University when about 30 people were arrested.
"The drug epidemic as a whole – colleges aren’t immune either. We would love for all colleges that believe they have a problem to invite us in and basically assist us the way the University of the Cumberlands has," Smoot said.
"I think the University of the Cumberlands went above and beyond call of duty. They initiated this investigation and they welcomed law enforcement with open arms."
Colegrove said that the university had suspicions for some time about possible drug activity on campus, and contacted the Williamsburg Police Department to investigate. Until the investigation, officials had no way to know how bad the drug problem was.
"You never know until you get into it," Colegrove said. "I think most campuses have a problem to some level. We certainly don’t pass judgment on other campuses. We only work on our own situation.
"Our desire is to have a drug free campus. We want to make this environment healthy, and wholesome and safe for the vast majority of our students, who are here for the right reasons."
Colegrove said that he thinks the investigation and arrests send a message to the rest of the student body.
"Hopefully, the message is that we care out our students. We want to make sure that they have the best possible environment to study in, to live and learn in, and that is what we are committed to," he added.
