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08-26-2003, 10:43 PM
Mark Parraway, a now former junior computer science student, was arrested and charged with drug-related offenses in mid-July. New evidence suggests his arrest may have been in error. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 29, Parraway had several items seized from his luggage at the Pittsburgh International Airport on the way to visit his grandmother in Raleigh, N.C. The containers field-tested positive for cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, which prompted a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) search on Parraway’s Theta Xi residence. However, KDKA reported on August 15 that the substances confiscated from Parraway were tested in the Allegheny County crime lab to be the legal drug dextromethorphan, which is not listed on the DEA’s drug schedule. The schedule lists every substance that the DEA attempts to control.
DEA authorities were surprised to hear of the findings, noting that false positives in field testing are rare.
Parraway’s lawyer was quoted at the time of his arrest that the charges would not pan out in rigorous testing. Charges currently levied against him include three counts of drug possession, two counts of drug possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Campus Police crime blotter, Parraway’s Theta Xi residence was searched by the DEA on July 17 around six in the evening. The DEA called CMU Police that day to inform them of the impending search.
“Our job is really just to facilitate, show them where the location is,” Doyle said when asked about the involvement of campus police in the search. According to the police blotter, the action was listed as “Assist Outside Agency.” Renée Camerlengo, director of Student Life, went with Campus Police representatives and the DEA to the Theta Xi house.
In mid-August, the DEA contacted Campus Police again to re-enter the house and interview some of the brothers. CMU Police informed the DEA of their desire to keep the targets of the interviews focused, such as only the people who live in the rooms adjoining Parraway’s. They also suggested using Campus Police headquarters as a neutral arena for the interviews rather than going over to the fraternity house and conducting them there. Doyle said that since then they have not contacted Campus Police about conducting such interviews.
When contacted concerning the case, DEA Detective Don Michael Oesterle of the airport enforcement division said he could not comment on pending investigations.
Pittsburgh DEA administration officials also declined to comment, citing similar reasons.
When approached about the incident, an unidentified Theta Xi brother said, “I have nothing to say about that.”
The Post-Gazette also reported Parraway stating that he buys and sells the substance dextromethorphan in large quantities as part of a legitimate business. Dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, is found in Robitussin and according to “Recreational DXM” (http://www.dextromethorphan.ws) is used for recreational purposes by many. Its effects can be compared to the dissociative drugs ketamine and PCP. The site also contains links to instructions on how to extract DXM from Robitussin.
The Division of Student Affairs declined to comment.
READ ARTICLE: http://www.thetartan.org/98/1/news/3700.asp
DEA authorities were surprised to hear of the findings, noting that false positives in field testing are rare.
Parraway’s lawyer was quoted at the time of his arrest that the charges would not pan out in rigorous testing. Charges currently levied against him include three counts of drug possession, two counts of drug possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Campus Police crime blotter, Parraway’s Theta Xi residence was searched by the DEA on July 17 around six in the evening. The DEA called CMU Police that day to inform them of the impending search.
“Our job is really just to facilitate, show them where the location is,” Doyle said when asked about the involvement of campus police in the search. According to the police blotter, the action was listed as “Assist Outside Agency.” Renée Camerlengo, director of Student Life, went with Campus Police representatives and the DEA to the Theta Xi house.
In mid-August, the DEA contacted Campus Police again to re-enter the house and interview some of the brothers. CMU Police informed the DEA of their desire to keep the targets of the interviews focused, such as only the people who live in the rooms adjoining Parraway’s. They also suggested using Campus Police headquarters as a neutral arena for the interviews rather than going over to the fraternity house and conducting them there. Doyle said that since then they have not contacted Campus Police about conducting such interviews.
When contacted concerning the case, DEA Detective Don Michael Oesterle of the airport enforcement division said he could not comment on pending investigations.
Pittsburgh DEA administration officials also declined to comment, citing similar reasons.
When approached about the incident, an unidentified Theta Xi brother said, “I have nothing to say about that.”
The Post-Gazette also reported Parraway stating that he buys and sells the substance dextromethorphan in large quantities as part of a legitimate business. Dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, is found in Robitussin and according to “Recreational DXM” (http://www.dextromethorphan.ws) is used for recreational purposes by many. Its effects can be compared to the dissociative drugs ketamine and PCP. The site also contains links to instructions on how to extract DXM from Robitussin.
The Division of Student Affairs declined to comment.
READ ARTICLE: http://www.thetartan.org/98/1/news/3700.asp