CADET'S DRUG TRIAL BEGINS

Conviction Could Bring 55 Years In Military Prison

The Air Force Academy cadet drug case moves to a military courtroom today.

Senior cadet Stephen D. Pouncey, 22, originally of Austin, Texas, is facing
court-martial on charges he used cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy and methamphetamine
as well as distribution of Ecstasy and LSD.

Pouncey is facing 55 years in a military prison and dishonorable discharge
from the military.

The senior took his final exams after he was charged in December, but he is
not attending classes now, academy spokesman Neil Talbott said.

"He is free to talk to his counsel whenever he wants," he said.

Pouncey is the first cadet charged in the academy drug case.

Of 35 cadets originally investigated for using drugs, selling them or
knowing about it and not coming forward, the academy continues to
investigate 13 besides Pouncey, Talbott said. One of those cadets already
has resigned from the academy.

Nine cadets have been punished for failing to come foward with information.
They have had to do extra marching or live under restrictions. Twelve
cadets have been cleared in the investigation, officials said.

The drugs involved include marijuana, LSD, the popular designer drugs
Ecstasy and Blue Nitro or Verve, which drug officials say is similar to
Ecstasy.

Academy officials are not releasing details of Pouncey's case, such as the
amounts of drugs allegedly involved.

They have said the investigation began in October when Pouncey tested
positive for drugs. He and other cadets in his squadron were tested after
commanders became suspicious, Talbott said. It was not a random urinalysis,
he said. Officials have declined to say how commanders became suspicious.

Pouncey and the others were tested for drugs on a weekend day, which had
not been a common practice at the academy. Commanders now say, however,
that they will be doing more testing on weekends. Commanders have also said
they would increase the frequency of drug testing, because of the case.