By
Niraj Chokshi
News Editor
Bates Security, accompanied by the Lewiston Police Department and the Maine
Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA), confiscated 10 ounces (283.5 grams) of marijuana
Thursday, Feb. 26, from junior Jon Ivers, a resident of John Bertram Hall. Officers
and agents, according to L.A.P.D. Lieutenant Paul Harmon, also confiscated an
undisclosed amount of cash, a scale, and documents.
Bates Security Director Tom Carey declined comment on the search and seizure,
citing an ongoing investigation.
Bates’ drug policy reads as follows: “The College reserves the right
to involve law enforcement authorities and/or undertake legal proceedings against
a student.”
The penalties Bates reserves for drug abuse include: Verbal warning; letter
of censure; exclusion from various College social and/or ceremonial activities;
disciplinary probation; mandatory referral to a counseling program; suspension
for a designated period of time; suspension with readmission contingent on proof
of counseling or successful completion of a rehabilitation program, and/or dismissal
from the College.
It is unknown how the MDEA was made aware of Ivers’ possession of drugs.
According to sources, he was known as one of the bigger dealers on campus.
According to the MDEA website, detailing section 860a of the Maine Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control law, sentencing guidelines read as follows: “A
person shall be sentenced under this subsection to a term of imprisonment of
not less than one year...” Section 841 of the law provides a maximum sentence:
“In the case of less than 50 kilograms of mari[j]uana … such person
shall… be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 5 years...”
Ivers’ penalty may be magnified because he was allegedly dealing on a
college campus. He also lived across the street from a middle school and next
to a day care.
Section 860a of the law also reads: In the case of intent to distribute on a
college campus the individual “is … subject to... twice the maximum
punishment… at least twice any term of supervised release… [and]
a fine up to twice that authorized...”
Ivers’car was also searched in the raid. As of deadline, no arrests had
been made. The investigation remains ongoing.
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