Student arrested for load of marijuana

A student was arrested Mon., March 17, for possession of marijuana with intent to sell, drug paraphernalia and having a loaded weapon on campus.

The student, 18-year-old Christopher Thomas of Hopkinsville, Ky., was a member of the 2007 recruiting class for APSU's football team.

The resident assistants in Killebrew, the dorm in which Thomas resides, found the drugs during health and safety checks. According to the police report, $20,000 worth of marijuana, a loaded 9 mm pistol, a box of matching rounds and $924 were found.

The evidence was seized and Thomas was charged for possession with intent to sell, a violation of the drug-free school zone, carrying a weapon on school property and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia. Thomas was the only person living in the dorm room.

"This is the largest drug bust, with an affiliated member [of the university] on campus, since I've been here," said Capt. Charlie Struckel, assistant chief of Campus Police. He said there have been bigger busts during traffic stops off campus, but this was the largest one on school grounds.

Due to federal law, APSU is unable to release information on any punitive measures taken against Thomas, but Greg Singleton, dean of students, did give a general overview of APSU's policies.

"If the university is made aware of a violation, then the university will investigate," Singleton said. After an investigation is launched, if evidence is found to support those charges then the student has three business days to respond to those charges.

According to Singleton the case has been resolved as far as the universtiy is concerned.

Thomas, on Mon., March 2, was also arrested for filing a false report.

The arrest warrant reads,"Thomas stated in officers' presence that he was unhandcuffed and allowed to give his dorm room key to another person. Investigation revealed on video tape of incident that this action and statement were false."

Thomas was held on $50,500 bond for the first four charges and an additional $2,000 bond for the second incident. Thomas's next court date will be Fri., May 23.