Two former Appalachian State University students pleaded guilty this week for their role in an illegal drug ring that garnered more than $1.5 million in sales across three different universities, including Appalachian State, according to federal court records.
The two, who were enrolled at Appalachian State at the time of the offenses, were among 21 people who were facing federal drug charges. They were accused in connection with an illegal drug ring that operated at or near Appalachian State, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University, authorities said in December.
Kyle Parrish Beckner, 22, of Boone, and Devin James McDonald, 23, of Kill Devil Hills, entered guilty pleas in U.S. District Court on Wednesday through a Zoom conference. Beckner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute LSD. McDonald pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.Â
BOONE â Two Appalachian State students are among 21 charged in relation to a drug distribution ring on the campuses of Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Duke University, announced the Department of Justice at a Thursday, Dec. 17 press conference.
âThis is a large drug network and supply chain fueling a drug culture at fraternities and within these universities and around these universities and towns,â said Matt Martin, U.S. attorney for the middle district of North Carolina. âThese are 21 hardened drug dealers.â
Martin said the investigation is ongoing. App State spokesperson Megan Hayes said the university is âcooperating fully with law enforcement in this investigation.â
Three fraternities were suspended by UNC on Friday following the arrests
On Thursday prosecutors and sheriffs announced they had broken up a cartel
21 people have been arrested since July as part of the drug operation sting
The suspects range in age from 22 and 35; many were based in North Carolina
They include current and former students from Duke and UNC Chapel Hill
Together, they sold over $1.5million of cocaine and marijuana, prosecutors said
Prosecutors say they are hardened drug dealers with brazen attitudes
Many of the suspects have prior arrests and have already graduated
Some of the most serious charges carry sentences of 10 years to life
21 arrested in âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5M worth of drugs through N.C. colleges Authorities have arrested 21 people who they say were involved in a âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5 million worth of drugs onto or near college campuses in North Carolina. (Source: Pablo) By WBTV Web Staff | December 17, 2020 at 4:23 PM EST - Updated December 18 at 11:50 AM
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WBTV) - Authorities have arrested 21 people who they say were involved in a âlarge scale drug ringâ that funneled more than $1.5 million worth of drugs onto or near college campuses in North Carolina.
App State students among 21 facing federal drug charges Authorities allege LSD, cocaine and marijuana sales on college campuses journalnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from journalnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.