CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- MIT Police Chief Anne Glavin announced that an MIT senior and an MIT graduate were charged today on seven counts related to distribution of illegal drugs from the East Campus room where Richard Guy died August 31 after inhaling nitrous oxide.
At a news conference in an MIT classroom at 105 Massachusetts Ave., MIT President Charles M. Vest spoke about meeting Mr. Guy during his freshman year. "My brief earlier acquaintance with him makes this tragedy painfully real. And it is a grim reminder of so many other needless deaths throughout the country, every year, of young people who foolishly involve themselves with drugs."
Dr. Vest said, "MIT's Campus Police Department has worked intensely to investigate matters surrounding this tragic incident. Our purpose this afternoon is to inform you of certain results of this investigation and of consequent actions we have taken today. We have taken similar actions in the past, and I can assure you that if needed, we will take them in the future "
Chief Glavin told the news conference, "The MIT Police Department Investigations Unit has been investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Guy. As a result of our investigation, we have been able to shed light on illegal drug use that existed within the living group at East Campus and quite likely beyond.
"Earlier today, as a result of the MIT investigation, complaints were issued in Cambridge District Court against MIT student Susan Mosher, a senior and resident of East Campus, and MIT alumnus Rene Ruiz," Chief Glavin said. They are to appear in court for arraignment on September 10. If they fail to appear, warrants for their arrest will be issued.
The charges brought against the pair involved four counts of possession with intent to distribute psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms), amphetamines, marijuana and nitrous oxide. They were also charged with conspiracy, possession of a hypodermic and cruelty to animals.
"We possess substantial evidence to support these charges," said Chief Glavin. "There may be other charges added at a later time."
She added, "During the course of this investigation we consulted with the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office and we received some assistance at various stages of the investigation from the Cambridge Police Department Drug Unit.
"This investigation is not complete and it will be continuing. There is every possibility that there will be other charges against other individuals at a later time," Chief Glavin said.
Statement of MIT President Charles M. Vest, Sept. 3, 1999
As you know, a 22 year-old MIT student, Richard Guy, died last Tuesday as a result of inhaling nitrous oxide.
I met Richard Guy when he was a freshman. He was not only bright, but was a talented baseball pitcher. He struck me at that time as a very personable young man. We crossed paths a couple of other times in subsequent years, and I once received a thoughtful and friendly note from him. He had recently dropped out of school for a period to spend time with his father, who was battling a terrible cancer back home in California.
My brief earlier acquaintance with him makes this tragedy painfully real. And it is a grim reminder of so many other needless deaths throughout the country, every year, of young people who foolishly involve themselves with drugs.
MIT's Campus Police Department has worked intensely to investigate matters surrounding this tragic incident. Our purpose this afternoon is to inform you of certain results of this investigation and of consequent actions we have taken today.
We have taken similar actions in the past, and I can assure you that if needed, we will take them in the future
This report will be made by our Police Chief, Anne Glavin.
Statement by MIT Police Chief Anne Glavin, Sept. 3, 1999
Good afternoon. As you all know, the MIT community recently experienced the tragic death of MIT student, Richard Guy, from asphyxiation due to nitrous oxide intoxication.
The MIT Police Department Investigations Unit has been investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Guy. As a result of our investigation, we have been able to shed light on illegal drug use that existed within the living group at East Campus and quite likely beyond.
Earlier today , as a result of the MIT investigation, complaints were issued in Cambridge District Court against MIT student Susan Mosher, a senior and resident of East Campus, and MIT alumnus Rene Ruiz.
The charges against these individuals at this time are as follows:
1. Possession with Intent to Distribute (class C substance) - Psiloycbin -- Ch. 94C Sec. 32 B
2. Possession with Intent to Distribute (class B substance) - Amphetamines -- Ch. 94C Sec. 32C.
3. Possession with Intent to Distribute (class D substance) - Marijuana -- Ch. 94C Sec. 32C.
4. Possession with Intent to Distribute (class E substance) - Nitrous Oxide -- Ch. 94C Sec. 32 D.
5. Conspiracy - this charge relates to the distribution charges I just mentioned.
6. Additionally, there are two separate and unrelated charges of Possession of a Hypodermic -- Ch. 94C Sec. 27), and
7. Cruelty to Animals -- Ch. 272 Sec. 77.
We possess substantial evidence to support these charges. There may be other charges added at a later time.
During the course of this investigation, we consulted with the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office and we received some assistance at various stages of the investigation from the Cambridge Police Department Drug Unit.
This investigation is not complete and it will be continuing. There is every possibility that there will be other charges against other individuals at a later time.
I am sure you all realize I cannot elaborate on any details of our investigation at this time but I would be happy to answer a few general questions.
