FIRST CHARGES FILED AGAINST STUDENT ACCUSED OF RUNNING DRUG LAB IN DORM

ORONO, Maine - The first charges have been filed against a former
University of Maine student accused of running a drug laboratory out
of his dorm room.

Noel March, chief of the University of Maine Department of Public
Safety, said Monday that Scott C. Turner, 20, of Rockport, has been
charged with possession of a usable amount of marijuana and
possession of drug paraphernalia.

March said he expect additional state and federal charges to be filed as well.

"We made a decision to proceed with what state charges we could
consistent with our position that drug cases are especially harmful
to our community," March said. "They were two of the more minor
charges relative to the serious federal charges still pending."

Members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency and the university's Department of Public Safety
raided Turner's third-floor dorm room on the Orono campus on April 3
after receiving an anonymous tip.

March said officials found what they believe are psilocybin
mushrooms, a hallucinogen. He said they are also awaiting test
results to identify a white powder and other substances found in the
room.

March said officials searched the room after an unidentified person
slipped an anonymous note under the door to the room of a dormitory
staff member.

"Who wants to life in a drug dorm?" part of the note said. "Why
doesn't anyone do something? Isn't that illegal? Mushrooms being
grown in a whole set up in room 362!"

March praised the person who left the note.

"I applaud what this person did and anyone can come to us anonymously
or confidentially. We can't do this without the students and staff,"
March said.

Turner, who is scheduled to appear in Bangor District Court on May
17, could not be reached for comment. He has been suspended from the
university.