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Posted on 07/11/2003 6:00:24 PM PDT by JennysCool
SPARKS, Nev. (AP) - The president of Sierra Nevada College has been arrested in Sparks on suspicion of drug trafficking.
James Lee Ash Jr., 58, and Travis Jay Lewis, 18, were arrested Wednesday at the Western Village Inn & Casino after officers found what appeared to be methamphetamine and marijuana in a room registered in their names, police said.
But Ash's lawyer, Scott Freeman, said the college president and ordained Presbyterian minister denies wrongdoing.
Freeman said Ash was counseling Ash and had rented the room to help Lewis find a job.
"It was someone he was mentoring in a very positive way," Freeman told the Reno Gazette-Journal. Ash, he said, was "essentially in the wrong place at the wrong time."
According to police reports, officers were called to the Western Village by a security guard who reported possible drug dealing in the parking lot.
When officer arrived, they found Lewis and another man, Christopher Kline, 18, inside a Dodge Durango used by the college.
Ash, who was in the room when officers first arrived, gave police permission to search the room, as did Lewis, the report said.
According to the report, a bag containing a crystal material, another containing a green leafy material, glass pipes, propane and butane torches, alcohol swabs, and a "vast quantity" of hypodermic needles were found in a dresser drawer.
No drugs were found among what Ash said were his belongings.
Ash and Lewis both were booked for investigation of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic device.
Kline was booked on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and a hypodermic device.
Ash described himself as Lewis' uncle, a relationship Lewis denied, the report said.
"He stated Ash was only a person that he met every once in a while to get drugs with. Lewis stated that Ash had bought all the drugs that they had and that he was very aware of what they had been doing," the report said.
But Ash denied any involvement in drug activity to police.
"Mr. Ash was adamant that he had no knowledge of narcotic activity in the room or in the vehicle," the report said.
Kelly Watson, a lawyer representing Sierra Nevada College, said Ash was suspended following his arrest but declined to comment on the allegations.
"I'm certain the judicial system will work correctly and we'll know more in the future," Watson said.
Located in Incline Village, Sierra Nevada College is the state's only private, four-year college. Ash was named president last August.
His 20 years experience in higher education also includes management positions at Whittier College in California and the University of Miami.
Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal
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