Cocaine and Witness Tampering? Arrests at Dartmouth (Sigma Alpha Epsilon)

[exlurker]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...8-aba227bd1c81

Excerpts:

HANOVER – Police arrested three Dartmouth College students after an investigation into cocaine use at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Arrested were Brian Shea, 22, of Wolfeboro, and Andrew Lohse, 20, of Newfane, Vt., each charged with one count of possession of cocaine. Charles Clark Warthen, 22, of Richmond, Va., was arrested for witness tampering. Lohse is also facing a witness tampering charge.

All three are members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The investigation began . . . May 13 when police were called to the fraternity house . . . for a report that cocaine had been used in a common room.

. . . The three were released on personal recognizance bail and are to appear in . . . Court in June.

Police said the investigation is continuing and they expect to make more arrests.


Edited to add:
A report with a few more details (for instance, reportedly the call to the police was made by an SAE member) is posted on the student paper's site at

http://thedartmouth.com/2010/05/21/news/arrests

[exlurker]

SAE has reportedly suspended a few of the members of its chapter at Dartmouth, pending the results of SAE's investigation into the allegations of drug use in common areas of the SAE house. In addition, there are reports of some internal divisions in the chapter related, at least in part, to the allegations.
See article in the student paper:

http://thedartmouth.com/2010/05/26/news/sae

SAE announced the suspensions on its HQ's site a few days ago:

http://www.sae.net/Page.aspx?pid=468

Text of announcement:

HANOVER, NH – The Sigma Alpha Epsilon national headquarters has launched its own investigation into the arrests of three members at our New Hampshire Alpha chapter, located at Dartmouth College. At this time, their membership in the fraternity is suspended, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation regarding drug possession.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon actively promotes and maintains substance-free housing and will not hesitate to take necessary actions against members who do not uphold our standards. In addition, the national organization recognizes the efforts of undergraduate member Phil Aubart to enforce those policies and maintain a safe, positive living environment for our undergraduates.

[exlurker]

. . . and here's the July 16 update on the plea bargain

http://thedartmouth.com/2010/07/16/news/plea