The Racquette

Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News

Media Credit: University Police Bryan Lecesse was caught in his Bowman dormitory with large quantities of marijuana, paraphernalia, and cash. The incident followed his previous arrest last April.

Media Credit: University Police The confiscated evidence at University Police.

On the evening of February 28, Bryan Leccese was arrested in Bowman Hall for criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. The arrest, taking place at 7:15 p.m., echoed similarly of last year's events. Leccese was previously arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana on April 30, 2007.

Digital scales, 152.9 grams, or roughly 5.39 ounces, of marijuana, 13 propoxyphene tablets, and 160 dollars in cash were confiscated from Lecesse's dorm room. A majority of the marijuana, found in a lockbox, was enclosed in large clear plastic bags. Some of the marijuana appeared to be packaged for individual sale. In addition to the paraphernalia confiscated, a vaporizer containing marijuana residue was discovered and seized.

Penal Law, Section 221.15 states, "A person is guilty of criminal possession of marihuana in the fourth degree when he knowingly and unlawfully possesses one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing marihuana and the preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances are of an aggregate weight of more than two ounces." Possession of between two to eight ounces of marijuana is considered a Class A misdemeanor. Any amount of the substance exceeding eight ounces becomes a felony.

While Leccese could criminally face up to one year in jail and the possibility of $1,000 in fines, he also has to be processed through SUNY Potsdam's Judicial Hearing Board. According to Chip Morris, Director of Student Conduct & Community Standards, students are disciplined on a case-by-case basis. He says that the system is based on the "three strikes and you're out" approach. Morris states, there are "lighter weight sanctions the first time," adding that the repercussions increase in consequence with each strike. He also emphasizes the importance of learning from one's mistakes. He states, "It is hard to know what is going to change behavior and what isn't." Morris' philosophy is optimistic, and he says, "I would rather take a chance and give someone another chance so that they think about their behavior and not just the punishment."

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standard's website details how the campus judicial system operates. In reference to repercussions, the webpage states, "Discipline is used with the goal of re-educating the student - to help him or her see that further infractions are really senseless, not because he or she is afraid of the punitive consequences but because of the realization that such actions aren't in accord with the college community." It goes on to state, "The student should arrive at the conclusion that in the process of growing with experience, discipline has to be self-imposed. The responsibility of successfully mastering the complexities of life is basically the responsibility of the individual."

The current status of Lecesse's standing in the school is undisclosed. Chip Morris declined to comment on the student's repercussions or future at SUNY Potsdam.

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