Pot plants lead to police, judicial charges

One student charged with two misdemeanors

College Security officers found three marijuana plants left in dorm rooms at the end of last semester in routine dorm locks. One of the plants was reported to the Oberlin Police for investigation and has led to the charging of a student with two misdemeanor drug charges. The remaining two were not reported to the police.

According to Kyle Michalak, sergeant at the Oberlin Police Department, the charges related to the plant the department investigated are minor misdemeanors because the amount of marijuana was so small.

He said that a student who lived in the room admitted to growing the plant and has been charged with two misdemeanors of marijuana cultivation and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Michalak said that the student will most likely be fined if found guilty on the charges.

According to Holly Morgan, Area Coordinator for four North campus dorms, dorm inspections at the end of the semester are routine.

The Police Department was unaware that the College had found two other plants, according to Michalak. "I suppose there is a fine line on what the College needs to report," he said. "I suppose it is their house."

According to Keith James, director of safety and security, the other two plants are being investigated through Judicial Board. He said that the difference between the three cases was mainly timing and circumstance. The plant which was reported to the police was the first one found.

James said that the decision to report a plant is sometimes his, with input from other people, and sometimes dictated by the police.

Michalak said that the only reason the police would not be investigating the other plants would be if they hadn't been notified about them.

Two of the plants were found in rooms in Dascomb Hall, and one was found in Kade, or German House.