WPD arrests professor, students on counts of narcotics distribution

The Williamsburg Police Department arrested a College of William and Mary professor and seven students in the conclusion of an investigation into increased drug activity. COURTESY PHOTO / WYDAILY.COM

Tuesday, April 17 The Williamsburg Police Department and the Tri-Rivers Drug Task Force arrested ten people on charges related to narcotic distribution including one College of William and Mary professor and eight students.

According to WPD Major Greg Riley, these arrests concluded the first phase of a months long investigation that began when information was received about unreported sexual assaults due to an increase in drug activity on and around the College’s campus. According to Riley, further arrests and charges are possible. In this investigation, police seized drugs including LSD, cocaine, psilocybin, opioids, amphetamines, steroids, hashish and marijuana. They also recovered approximately $14,000 in cash.

Keegan Paugh ’18 was charged with one count of marijuana distribution, one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, four counts of possession of a Schedule II drug — defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, one count of possession of a Schedule III drug — drugs with moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence and one count of marijuana possession.

Daniel McBride ’20 was charged with two counts of distribution of a schedule II drug and two counts of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Biloliddin Tulamirza ’21 was charged with one count of felony distribution of marijuana and one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Shannon Cannaday ’19 was charged with one count of felony distribution of marijuana and one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Nicolas Manual ’18 was charged with one count of distribution of a schedule I drug — defined as a drug that has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, and one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Devin Moore ’19 was charged with five counts of distribution of a schedule I drug, two counts of distribution of a schedule II drug and five counts of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Alexander Foley ’19 was charged with one count of distribution of a schedule II drug and one count of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.

Jacob Selmonosky ’21 was charged with two counts of distribution of a schedule II drug and two counts of selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school

Biology professor Gi Sang Yoon was also arrested and charged with two counts of felony distribution of marijuana and one count of possession of hashish.

Timothy Pryor, an individual unrelated to the College, was also arrested. Pryor was charged with one count of felony distribution of marijuana

The police transported all ten individuals to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail where they were booked and processed.

According to College spokesperson Suzanne Seurattan, the William and Mary Police Department was not involved in this investigation and was not aware of it until the arrests were made.

“The news of these arrests was both surprising and disappointing,” Seurattan said in a press statement. “We know the university is not immune to crimes that affect all of society but as an institution and a member of this community, we take the issue of drugs – and all matters of crime prevention and safety – seriously. When we learn about issues on our campus we investigate promptly, take legal action as necessary and provide resources to anyone in our community dealing with drug use problem or addiction. It is an issue we must and will continue to focus on as a university.”

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