University of Illinois police staged drug raids Thursday after a long period of surveillance at two fraternity house connected to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Police served search warrants at the fraternity house (209 East Armory Avenue), and at the Lambda Chi Alpha senior house (60 E. Chalmers Street) in Champaign at about 11 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014. Police report investigators discovered cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD. More than 400 doses of ecstasy (MDMA) were found. Police also found prescription pills, cannabis, nitrous oxide and drug paraphernalia.
A total of seven University of Illinois students were arrested from both frat houses.
Michael R. Genovese, 20, of Champaign, was arrested at the fraternity house for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
The following members, all of whom are University of Illinois students, were arrested at the fraternity’s senior house:
Matthew J. Daum, 22, of Champaign, for possession of drug paraphernalia;
Robert C. Hughes, 22, of Champaign, for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia;
Lukas Korte, 21, of Champaign, for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis;
James P. Spotanski, 22, of Champaign, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver;
Michael J. Varel, 22, of Champaign, for possession of drug paraphernalia; and
Matthew J. Voss, 22, of Champaign, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Lambda Chi Alpha – Illini – Chi Zeta
May 10
Statement to AlumniOne active undergraduate member of Lambda Chi Alpha living in the 209 East Armory House was arrested on May 9, 2014 for possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver. Illegal substances and paraphernalia were found in a safe hidden in the closet of his room.
Six other former or current members of Lambda Chi Alpha who do not live in the House were also arrested at an apartment house at First and Chalmers. This residence has no formal or informal connection to Lambda Chi Alpha, other than the fact that several former or out-of-house members have chosen to rent and live in that apartment. The two who have been charged with the most serious offenses of possession with intent to deliver had been expelled (or had resigned under threat of expulsion) from Lambda Chi Alpha last year for violation of its zero tolerance policy. One of those arrested on a lesser charge had also been expelled last year, and another individual who was arrested already had graduated from the University and therefore was no longer a member of the Active Chapter. The Active Chapter will convene disciplinary proceedings on Sunday, May 11, 2014 as respects the one Active member who resided in the Chapter House and the out-of-house members who have been implicated in the police matter.
The Alumni Board and Active Chapter acted swiftly following a search of the House in October 2013. Although no charges were filed last year, disciplinary hearings were held and five members were expelled or resigned from the Chapter – including three of those arrested this week. The Alumni Association also required that the active members attend two mandatory programs on drug awareness and the Fraternity’s zero tolerance policy. The information from the prior police investigations and the earlier disciplinary proceedings cast no suspicion on the active member living in the Chapter House who was arrested this week. At present we have no evidence that drug sales occurred at the Chapter House, only that drugs were being stored there by the individual who was arrested.
The Chapter officers acted swiftly and appropriately the night of the arrest, immediately informing the office of the University Dean of Students, officials at our International Fraternity office, the Chapter Advisor and the Alumni Association leadership. Chi Zeta has over 2200 initiated members and over 1300 living alumni. The Alumni Association leadership will continue to work with University Administration and the Lambda Chi Alpha International to assure that its zero tolerance policies will be followed and that the actions of a few do not jeopardize the brotherhood shared by the many.
The Officers of Alumni Association Chi Zeta Lambda Chi Alpha
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