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College chief's marijuana arrest embarrasses school, community
ANKENY, Iowa (AP) -- He was a well-respected college president earning more than $180,000 a year. His wife arranged studio classes at the local museum. That picture of a serene upper middle-class life was shattered last week by the couple's arrests on marijuana charges -- along with those of their teenage son and 22-year-old daughter. The allegations against Des Moines Area Community College president David England and his family have embarrassed students, angered parents and alumni and sent shock waves through this well-heeled suburb of Des Moines. "Everybody is talking about it. Just what was he thinking?" asked Kim Hartje, a real estate agent. "It was poor judgment." Lawyers for England, his 49-year-old wife Donna, daughter Jessica, and 16-year-old son blame police for generating wild speculation. "Some of the articles, which were floating through law enforcement, have just been outlandish about this matter," said Donna England's lawyer, Terry Wright. The Englands were arrested March 12 in their upscale home in the nearby suburb of Johnston. Police said they seized 21/2 pounds of marijuana divvied up in individual bags, one of which was stashed in the freezer. The drugs were worth about $2,500. Also found, police said, were trays of marijuana seedlings and growing lights. England was charged with conspiracy to manufacture and deliver marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and a tax stamp violation -- charges that could put him in prison for about 15 years if convicted. He posted $50,000 bond and is to be arraigned April 24. The school placed him on paid administrative leave, and launched its own investigation. England's wife, who has taken a paid leave from the Des Moines Art Center, and daughter face similar charges. The teenage son was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, which carry lesser penalties. Because of the volume of marijuana and the extent of the growing operation, authorities believe England was selling the drug, but they haven't identified any alleged buyers, according to Polk County Sheriff's Lt. Vic Munoz. Investigators began watching the England's house after two people reported suspicions about the family's activities, police said. Parent: 'It's not like he was desperate'But William Kutmus, the lawyer for David England and his children, blamed police for hastily calling press conferences following the arrest to "wildly speculate" about the case. "The narcotics agents called a press conference not for the purpose of releasing new information, but just to give their underhanded slant," Kutmus said. "Thank God there are two sides of the story. Our side will come out in court." England makes $183,750 a year, plus gets a $1,500 per month housing allowance and other perks as president of the college. The school offers two-year associate degrees and a variety of vocational diplomas and has an enrollment of about 13,000 full- and part-time students in Ankeny and at four satellite campuses. "He makes enough money he didn't have do that. It's not like he was desperate," said Patti Schetzsle, whose daughter is a student at the school. Some students questioned why England was even hired -- considering he had a 1971 conviction for marijuana possession in Texas, according to The Des Moines Register. College officials said they did a background check on England when he was hired in July 2001, but didn't know about the conviction. Before coming to Iowa, England had worked at North Lake College, a community college in Irving, Texas, since 1996. "How did he get the job to begin with? It makes me wonder what else is going on," said Jake Freking, 19. Added Michael Short, 19: "It's embarrassed the school." The college is beginning to feel a backlash from England's arrest. A handful of alumni told the school, which just started its annual fund-raiser, that they won't contribute. "A few of them aren't too thrilled," said Mary Lonsdale, coordinator of student and alumni activities. "It seems the biggest issue is the fact we're still paying his salary." Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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