The president of Des Moines Area Community College was arrested Wednesday on charges that he ran a marijuana trafficking operation out of his Johnston home.
David England, 50, was scheduled to appear in court this morning. Central Iowa drug agents said a search of England's home Wednesday turned up nearly 5 pounds of packaged marijuana and about 72 young plants in the basement.
No one else was arrested.
Johnston police Sgt. Lynn Aswegan said England was "actively engaged in smoking marijuana at the time the officers executed the warrant."
England, a Texas native, was named president of the two-year Des Moines school, Iowa's second-largest community college, in 2001. School officials suspended him Wednesday with pay. His salary is $183,750 a year. England's wife, Donna, declined to comment Wednesday. The couple has an adult daughter and a teenage son.
Agents from the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force, which represents several jurisdictions, descended on 4587 River Forest Circle with a search warrant shortly after noon. England was there alone. The Englands' $304,320 home is in the quiet, partially completed Eagle Ridge Estates subdivision.
The investigation began with a complaint, authorities said. Officials would not say when they received the complaint or who filed it. Neighbors Wednesday said they hadn't met the Englands or did not know who lived in the home.
Polk County sheriff's Lt. Vic Munoz said marijuana was discovered in several rooms - roughly 2 pounds was in a freezer.
"Marijuana was found in everyone's room," Munoz said. "We found it growing in the basement. There were 72 starter plants, 1- or 2-inch plants barely out of the dirt in trays like little ****in tins."
The packaged marijuana tested positive, officials said. Agents said it did not appear to be locally grown.
"Four to 5 pounds, that certainly exceeds any personal use," said Chief Deputy Bill Vaughn of the sheriff's office.
Donna England was not home while agents searched. The couple's children showed up while investigators were in the house. Also seized were lights believed used in the growing operation and other suspected drug paraphernalia, Munoz said.
England did not make a statement to authorities. He was taken to the Johnston Police Department and transferred to the Polk County Jail, where bond was set at $49,075. England had not posted bail and remained in jail late Wednesday.
England is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to provide a drug tax stamp. He faces at least 10 years in prison.
"It's a real punch in the sternum to all of us," said Donavan Honnold, director of marketing and public relations for the college. "We're all hoping against hope that it was some kind of a mistake."
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said further charges could be filed once others, including England's son and daughter, are questioned.
A Texas native with nearly 24 years of administrative and teaching experience, England reportedly was well-liked among faculty and students. His former boss said he was astonished to learn of the arrest.
"It doesn't sound consistent with what I know of David," said Bill Wenrich, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College district, where England was president of North Lake College from 1996 to 2001. "He's a super administrator, and I just wonder if there isn't some kind of mistake."
Wenrich, who recommended England for the Des Moines job, said he thought England had "the skills that would make him a great leader there."
The college's vice presidents met with attorneys Wednesday.
"There was no indication whatsoever" that England could be involved in any criminal activity, Honnold said. "It's an absolute horrific shock."
Joe Pugel of Newton, president of the school's board of trustees, appointed Kim Linduska, senior vice president for academic affairs, as acting president.
The trustees have the power to decide whether England keeps his job pending the criminal investigation, said Kathi Slaughter, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Education, which oversees Iowa's 15 community colleges.
The Des Moines school has an enrollment of 13,100 full- and part-time students. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is slightly larger.
Want to learn more?
http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/20723616.html
David England, 50, was scheduled to appear in court this morning. Central Iowa drug agents said a search of England's home Wednesday turned up nearly 5 pounds of packaged marijuana and about 72 young plants in the basement.
No one else was arrested.
Johnston police Sgt. Lynn Aswegan said England was "actively engaged in smoking marijuana at the time the officers executed the warrant."
England, a Texas native, was named president of the two-year Des Moines school, Iowa's second-largest community college, in 2001. School officials suspended him Wednesday with pay. His salary is $183,750 a year. England's wife, Donna, declined to comment Wednesday. The couple has an adult daughter and a teenage son.
Agents from the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Task Force, which represents several jurisdictions, descended on 4587 River Forest Circle with a search warrant shortly after noon. England was there alone. The Englands' $304,320 home is in the quiet, partially completed Eagle Ridge Estates subdivision.
The investigation began with a complaint, authorities said. Officials would not say when they received the complaint or who filed it. Neighbors Wednesday said they hadn't met the Englands or did not know who lived in the home.
Polk County sheriff's Lt. Vic Munoz said marijuana was discovered in several rooms - roughly 2 pounds was in a freezer.
"Marijuana was found in everyone's room," Munoz said. "We found it growing in the basement. There were 72 starter plants, 1- or 2-inch plants barely out of the dirt in trays like little ****in tins."
The packaged marijuana tested positive, officials said. Agents said it did not appear to be locally grown.
"Four to 5 pounds, that certainly exceeds any personal use," said Chief Deputy Bill Vaughn of the sheriff's office.
Donna England was not home while agents searched. The couple's children showed up while investigators were in the house. Also seized were lights believed used in the growing operation and other suspected drug paraphernalia, Munoz said.
England did not make a statement to authorities. He was taken to the Johnston Police Department and transferred to the Polk County Jail, where bond was set at $49,075. England had not posted bail and remained in jail late Wednesday.
England is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to provide a drug tax stamp. He faces at least 10 years in prison.
"It's a real punch in the sternum to all of us," said Donavan Honnold, director of marketing and public relations for the college. "We're all hoping against hope that it was some kind of a mistake."
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone said further charges could be filed once others, including England's son and daughter, are questioned.
A Texas native with nearly 24 years of administrative and teaching experience, England reportedly was well-liked among faculty and students. His former boss said he was astonished to learn of the arrest.
"It doesn't sound consistent with what I know of David," said Bill Wenrich, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College district, where England was president of North Lake College from 1996 to 2001. "He's a super administrator, and I just wonder if there isn't some kind of mistake."
Wenrich, who recommended England for the Des Moines job, said he thought England had "the skills that would make him a great leader there."
The college's vice presidents met with attorneys Wednesday.
"There was no indication whatsoever" that England could be involved in any criminal activity, Honnold said. "It's an absolute horrific shock."
Joe Pugel of Newton, president of the school's board of trustees, appointed Kim Linduska, senior vice president for academic affairs, as acting president.
The trustees have the power to decide whether England keeps his job pending the criminal investigation, said Kathi Slaughter, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Education, which oversees Iowa's 15 community colleges.
The Des Moines school has an enrollment of 13,100 full- and part-time students. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids is slightly larger.
Want to learn more?
http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4788993/20723616.html