News (Media Awareness Project) - US WA: Wire: State Prison Official Charged With Drug Possession |
| Title: | US WA: Wire: State Prison Official Charged With Drug Possession |
| Published On: | 1997-11-22 |
| Source: | Associated Press |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-07 19:29:28 |
STATE PRISON OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION
OLYMPIA (AP) Authorities have charged a state prisons' official with
possession of marijuana and LSD in the aftermath of a sting operation that
also led to charges against a colorful leader of a local commune.
Dennis Koeppen, a Department of Corrections inmate grievance specialist who
has worked for the state since 1975, and his wife, Debra, were arrested at
their Tumwater home Nov. 14, police said.
Charged with two felony counts each of possession of 8 to 9 grams of pure
liquid LSD and just under a pound of marijuana, the couple will be
arraigned next week, police said. The LSD amounts to about 2,000 doses, law
enforcement officials said.
Koeppen, who was placed on administrative leave from his $43,776ayear
job, is now the subject of an internal department investigation.
"They were surprised to be arrested, but they came quietly," said Sgt. Jim
Faust of the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force.
The drug bust came after a twoyear investigation of Gideon Israel, a
promoter of marijuana legalization and leader of the Rainbow Valley Commune.
A sting operation, in which undercover agents bought marijuana, mushrooms
and LSD from Israel and others who frequent the commune, led to several
arrests last week, among them Israel and Koeppen.
Israel's 22acre farm south of Olympia is the site of a rock concert and
peace gathering. He remains in a Thurston County jail cell with bail set at
$75,000.
A former member of the Love Family commune that flourished in Seattle in
the 1970s, Israel was charged under a state racketeering statute as the
ringleader of a drugdealing scheme, local police said.
Koeppen, along with at least five others also arrested, is alleged to be
one of Israel's "associates," Faust said. "They are all associated with
Gideon Israel in one way or another, and their criminal activity is
associated with him in one way or another," he said.
Koeppen declined comment Thursday.
As an inmate grievance program specialist, Koeppen was responsible for
processing prisoners' complaints everything from dietary problems to
disciplinary disputes and working as a mediator between the offender and
the Corrections Department.
OLYMPIA (AP) Authorities have charged a state prisons' official with
possession of marijuana and LSD in the aftermath of a sting operation that
also led to charges against a colorful leader of a local commune.
Dennis Koeppen, a Department of Corrections inmate grievance specialist who
has worked for the state since 1975, and his wife, Debra, were arrested at
their Tumwater home Nov. 14, police said.
Charged with two felony counts each of possession of 8 to 9 grams of pure
liquid LSD and just under a pound of marijuana, the couple will be
arraigned next week, police said. The LSD amounts to about 2,000 doses, law
enforcement officials said.
Koeppen, who was placed on administrative leave from his $43,776ayear
job, is now the subject of an internal department investigation.
"They were surprised to be arrested, but they came quietly," said Sgt. Jim
Faust of the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force.
The drug bust came after a twoyear investigation of Gideon Israel, a
promoter of marijuana legalization and leader of the Rainbow Valley Commune.
A sting operation, in which undercover agents bought marijuana, mushrooms
and LSD from Israel and others who frequent the commune, led to several
arrests last week, among them Israel and Koeppen.
Israel's 22acre farm south of Olympia is the site of a rock concert and
peace gathering. He remains in a Thurston County jail cell with bail set at
$75,000.
A former member of the Love Family commune that flourished in Seattle in
the 1970s, Israel was charged under a state racketeering statute as the
ringleader of a drugdealing scheme, local police said.
Koeppen, along with at least five others also arrested, is alleged to be
one of Israel's "associates," Faust said. "They are all associated with
Gideon Israel in one way or another, and their criminal activity is
associated with him in one way or another," he said.
Koeppen declined comment Thursday.
As an inmate grievance program specialist, Koeppen was responsible for
processing prisoners' complaints everything from dietary problems to
disciplinary disputes and working as a mediator between the offender and
the Corrections Department.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
