Thursday, August 28, 2008
A staff research assistant in the department of medicinal chemistry was arrested on Monday in Malott Hall on a probable cause warrant for the production of the drug MDA.
MDA, or Methylenedioxyamphetamine, is a psychedelic hallucinogen and is similar to ecstasy.
Matthew David Schmidt, was arrested and charged with the manufacture of the controlled substance. Schmidt was released later on Monday after posting a $15,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Douglas County court on Sept. 8, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the KU Public Safety police report, Schmidt was reported to authorities by Tomas Prisinzano, associate professor of medicinal chemistry. A student in the school was also listed as a second reporting person.
According to Captain Schuyler Bailey, public information officer for the KU Public Safety Office, Prisinzano contacted authorities after becoming concerned about suspicious aspects of Schmidt’s research in the Malott laboratories.
MDA is a less potent derivative of MDMA. It is a schedule 1 narcotic, meaning the Federal Drug Administration classifies it as having no known medicinal value.
According to a law enforcement agency employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity, MDA can sell between $4 and $10 a pill on the street, depending where the purchase takes place.
The employee said that sales of MDA peaked in 2001, when it became a law enforcement priority. The number of MDA-related arrests has decreased every year since 2001.
Most MDA comes into the United States from other countries where its manufacture is legal, the employee said. MDA is more chemically stable than drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, which allows it to be produced in apartments or laboratories like the facilities in Malott Hall.
The employee said the main barrier for producers was acquiring a pill-press machine, which can cost as much as $200,000. The employee said such equipment has been confiscated in neighboring Johnson County in the past.
Todd Cohen, director of University Relations, declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, citing University policy regarding public disclosure of personnel issues.
“I can only characterize this as an extremely rare incident, and an unfortunate one,” Cohen said.
No charges filed in alleged rape
A man was arrested but soon released from the Douglas County prison ...
National Drug Take-Back Day offers safe disposal ...
Saturday’s event collected more than 400 pounds of unused prescriptions.
Student accused of stalking released
A University of Kansas student was released by Douglas County Jail Thursday ...
TCU football players arrested on suspicion of ...
After six month investigation, police charge 17 TCU students, including four football ...
Editorial: Ban on K2 premature, more research ...
Lawmakers should reconsider bill on marijuana-like substance.
University gets $8 million to find male ...
Student arrested for stalking
The suspect, a graduate research assistant, is being held without bond pending ...
Professor says school punishment unfair
University psychology teacher put on paid leave, banned from his office and ...
Dirty mouth: Water may not be clean
Traces of prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs can be found in water ...
Research program prepares for medicinal herb garden
Native Medicinal Plant Research Program will begin working on the new garden ...
Domestic disturbance call leads to arrest
Lawrence resident Brain Bailey was arrested Tuesday after refusing to surrender to ...
Fire extinguished in Malott Hall
Facilities and operations staff are assessing damage from a Saturday morning fire ...
DUI check lane part of statewide initiative
Program draws attention to the scope of drunk driving issues in Kansas.
Bills in the Kansas Legislature could make ...
Kansas would be the first state to ban the substance.
Man runs over woman’s foot by Memorial ...
Police arrested a man for suspicion of driving under the influence after ...
Student ingests chemical in Malott Hall
Graduate student in critical condition after accidentally ingesting toxic chemical.
Student arrested on charges of operating under ...
The 18-year-old hit a wall and fire hydrant, flipped his vehicle and ...
Drug remains legal despite concerns
K2 mimics the high of marijuana and is available in Lawrence stores.
Three arrested for Sunday shooting at Club ...
A 19-year-old man received non-life-threatening injuries in the club’s second shooting in ...
Saturation patrols focus on drunk, aggressive drivers
Saturation patrols will take place in Douglas County March 16 and April ...
Cancer drugs discovered at new lab
Better equipment helps researchers test cancer killing meds.
New professor gets $5 million bioscience lab
The University contributed $5 million for the construction of a two-story research ...
Malott Hall evacuated, reopened after reported chemical ...
The chemical smell was not unidentified but it dissipated enough for the ...
Police and FDA raid local herbal stores
Two herbal stores in the area raided Thursday.
Police arrest suspect in apartment fire investigation
Professor hospitalized after beating
KU professor Paul Mirecki was hospitalized Monday morning after two men beat ...
Professors censured for plagiarism
On Oct. 4, the University cited two professors for academic misconduct.
University employee pleads not guilty to rape ...
A trial has been scheduled for Aug. 13.
Rooftop protester arrested
A member of the Occupy Lawrence protest group was arrested for trespassing ...
Overheated refrigerator cited as cause of Malott ...
The cost of the damage has not been reported
GSP rape suspect makes first court appearance
Check Kansan.com for the latest updates on this case.
Officers clarify Mirecki attack details
Sheriff's officers made technical clarifications today about the attack on Paul Mirecki.
New "smart" alarms keeps Malott Hall safe
Students and professors in Malott Hall can work more safely, thanks to ...
Police step up patrols for Labor Day
The Lawrence Police Department is increasing its patrols on the traditionally dangerous ...
Briefs: October 23, 2007
This is the news in brief.
University, DEA partner to collect unused prescription ...
Students can get rid of unneeded prescription drugs safely Wednesday at campus ...
Police reports
From the files of the Lawrence Department and Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Trespassing arrest in Summerfield Hall leaves suspect, ...
An altercation over a citation occurred overnight on campus.
Man suspected of raping University student arrested
A 20-year old Wichita resident was arrested last Tuesday in Pratt County ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID