On Sept. 11, the Reporting Officer (R/O) was dispatched to East Thomson Hall in reference to the odor of marijuana emanating from the fourth-floor hallway of the building. Upon arriving, the R/O was able to identify the room from where the smell was coming. The R/O knocked on the door of the room, which was opened by Subject #2. The R/O was immediately overcome by the odor of marijuana in the room and asked the subject if there was anybody else in the residence. Subject #2 stated that there was.
The R/O then explained to the subjects the reason for the officer’s presence, and Subject #2 then consented to allow the R/O into the residence. Upon entering the room, the R/O noted an increasingly strong odor of marijuana emanating from the room. The R/O also noted that Subject #2 was the only individual who actually lived in the room.
After hearing this, the two subjects admitted to smoking marijuana in the residence. Subject #1 then retrieved a marijuana blunt from the dresser and handed it to the R/O. After seeing this, the R/O requested permission to search Subject #2’s personal room and the common area for any marijuana or drug paraphernalia. Subject #2 gave the R/O permission to search, and the R/O was unable to locate any other marijuana or drug-related items. Subject #1 stated that the marijuana belonged to him.
The R/O notified the subjects, who were very cooperative and understanding, that, due to the overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from the residence and the marijuana blunt that was located, Subject #1 would be issued a Trespass Warning Notice banning him from the campus and all property owned by Winthrop University for a period of one year. The R/O then informed Subject #2 that she would be referred to Winthrop University’s Judicial Affairs for violations of the Student Conduct Code regarding illegal drug use.
On Sept. 21, Officer Thomas and Sgt. Sullivan responded to a call at Richardson Hall in reference to an assault. Upon arriving at Richardson Hall, Thomas and Sullivan met with the front desk RA and asked her to escort them up to the room for a welfare check.
Upon arriving at the room, the officers listened outside the door because they could hear loud, undistinguishable speaking. Thomas and Sullivan then knocked on the door. The victim answered the door and appeared to be upset. The officers asked the victim if she was okay as they had received a report that she had been assaulted. The victim stated that she had gotten into an argument with her ex-boyfriend when he showed up unexpectedly at Richardson Hall looking for her. During the argument with her ex-boyfriend, the victim claimed that the suspect got into her face, and she pushed him away. The suspect then struck her on the right side of her face with a closed fist.
The officers observed no apparent injury to the victim, and she declined medical assistance. The suspect left the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. The victim claimed that she had a witness to corroborate her story; however, the witness could not be located. When asked if the victim wanted to press charges, she stated, “not at this time.” The victim was issued a Victim Notification form.
The officers viewed video footage from Richardson Hall and could find no evidence of an altercation. The suspect will be referred to the Dean of Students with a recommendation that the suspect be trespassed from Richardson Hall.
