Most UofC students arrested in campus roundup out of jail; all 10 plead not guilty

Six of the 10 University of the Cumberlands students arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly trafficking drugs on campus are now free on bond from the Whitley County Detention Center.

All 10 entered not guilty pleas Thursday afternoon during video arraignments from the Whitley County Detention Center in front of District Judge Cathy Prewitt.

The 10 students had originally been held on $50,000 cash bonds, but during their arraignments, Prewitt amended the bonds for nine of the defendants to $35,000 bonds at 10 percent cash, or $3,500 cash bonds. A tenth defendant, who lives locally, was allowed to post a $7,000 property bond instead.

Those charged include:

¥ Cameron Leon Brooks, 20, of Williamsburg – conspiracy to traffic marijuana within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ Matthew Paul Croley, 20, of Williamsburg – three counts of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Joseph Robert Morales, 19, of Miami, Florida – two counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ Marcus Oda, 19, of Williamsburg – trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ David Ryan Overy, 20, of Berkley, Michigan – first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Angelo Price, 24, of Williamsburg – two counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ Alexander Roepe, 21, of Williamsburg – two counts of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

¥ Karlos Quatez Scott, 21, of Hawkinsville, Ga. – two counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school, one count of conspiracy to traffic marijuana within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ Charles Simmons, 24, of Williamsburg – three counts of trafficking a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of a school.

¥ Jaron Micaiah Singley, 20, of Corbin – second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.
According to the Whitley County Detention Center’s website, only Brooks, Oda, Roepe and Simmons were still incarcerated as of 3 p.m. Friday.

The arrested students could also face disciplinary action at the school, including suspension or termination.

"Those found guilty will be asked not to return," noted University of the Cumberlands Vice-President for Students Services Dr. Michael Colegrove.

The 10 men, who are all students, were arrested Wednesday morning during a drug round up on the campus of the University of the Cumberlands.

The investigation began about a month ago after university officials notified the Williamsburg Police Department about possible drug activity on campus, and Williamsburg police initiated a joint investigation with Operation UNITE.

"University officials initiated the actions leading to these arrests and will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement in conducting this ongoing investigation," University of the Cumberlands President Dr. James H. Taylor said in a press release.

From April 16 – April 30, UNITE used a cooperating witness to make 18 alleged undercover drug purchases from students on the University of the Cumberlands campus.

In three cases, the confidential witness allegedly purchased marijuana, in three cases they allegedly purchased Oxycodone, and in 12 other cases they allegedly purchased unspecified drugs, according to a News Journal analysis of court records.