Spring Break
Phi Psi evicted for code violations
Tyler Will
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News
|
Campus Police Maj. Stephen Baker said on Dec. 5, URI and South Kingstown police searched the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house at 4 Fraternity Circle under the terms of search warrant. In a safe, police found about one-quarter of a pound of marijuana, a couple scales, small plastic bags, $130 in cash and what police described as "a ledger to show drug activity," Baker said.
Phi Psi member Robert Gallo, 20, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Baker said.
Gallo was arraigned in the Rhode Island Fourth District Court on the same day, and Baker said he was released on $500 bail.
Phi Psi President Ryan Spain, who is studying abroad, could not be reached for comment by press time.
Former Phi Psi President Andy Hanson said yesterday Gallo's actions do not represent Phi Psi as a whole, and Gallo has not maintained contact with any of the other brothers.
"I think he's just trying to keep his privacy," Hanson said.
Hanson said a SWAT team entered the premises at around 4 a.m. with flashlights pointed in students' faces. URI Police confirmed SWAT was present.
The police reports have not been released because the investigation is still pending.
Hanson, who was there that morning, recalled officers said they had a warrant, but no one in the house asked to see it, and people in the halls were told to go into their rooms.
"A lot more got woken up when that many police officers came in screaming," Hanson said.
Phi Psi's third strike was from nine violations, Hanson said, which included a weapons violation for a bb gun, paraphernalia for bongs, vandalism for holes in the wall and two alcohol violations for empty beer cans found in a common area. Hanson said the cans count as possession and distribution of alcohol.
Gallo's roommate was taken in for questioning but will not be charged with a crime, Baker said.
"[Gallo] did have a roommate, but there's no evidence the roommate was involved," Baker said.
Interfraternity Council President Phil Bowers said the code violations are not something the IFC supports.
