“Higher” Learning: Five Columbia University Students Arrested for Dealing & Selling Drugs in “Operation Ivy League”

According to the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, a Manhattan based prosecutors office with jurisdiction over narcotic and drug crimes throughout New York City, five Columbia University students were arrested and charged with selling drugs (Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree – New York Penal Law 220.39 & 220.40), drug possession (Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree – New York Penal Law 220.16) and other crimes relating to drugs and marijuana.

“Operation Ivy League” resulted in the arrest of Christopher Coles, Harrison David, Adam Klein, Jose Stephan Perez, a/k/a, Stephan Vincenzo, and Michael Wymbs. It is alleged that over the past few months undercover police officers purchased $11,000 worth of cocaine, marijuana, LSD and Adderall from dorm rooms and fraternity houses. It is further alleged that as many as 31 drug sales took place at the Alpha Epsilon Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha and Psi Upsilon fraternity houses.

Beyond getting kicked out of school and facing the wrath of their parents, the young men face a minimum of 1 to 9 years in prison as first time offenders. If the sales transpired on school grounds, then the minimum term of incarceration increases to 2 years in state prison. Regardless, 1 to 2 years of post release supervision is mandatory for any conviction.

For additional information on New York drug crimes and New York drug laws, please follow either of the highlighted links. To review the New York drug sentencing guidelines, please follow the respective link. Further information on legal decisions, news worthy cases and criminal statutes can be found on the New York Criminal Lawyer Blog.

Saland Law PC is a New York criminal defense firm founded by two former Manhattan prosecutors. The New York criminal lawyers at Saland Law PC represent clients in New York City and beyond.

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