Deputies: 6 Southern students arrested for selling drugs on campus - WBXH

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -

Six Southern University students accused of selling drugs on campus were arrested Friday morning.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office reported the following arrests:

Brandon Wells, 19

Keith Jupiter, 22

Edward Rideaux, 20

Joshua Watkins, 21

Trenton Nzekwesi, 22

Devin Stampley, 20

All of the suspects face marijuana distribution and other charges. A seventh suspect named Michael Richard, known as "Puppy," 28, is wanted. He is not a student at the university.

Detectives with the sheriff's office said they conducted a month-long undercover operation on Southern's campus at the request of school administrators. They added they bought drugs from suspects while on campus. A search warrant reportedly yielded 55.4 grams of pre-packaged marijuana and two digital scales in the on-campus dorm room where Watkins, Nzekwesi and Stampley live after detectives said they learned the three were working together to sell drugs on campus. Deputies said they found a pistol in Watkins's vehicle on campus.

Detectives said Jupiter also lives on campus, while Wells and Rideaux live off-campus separately. It is believed Jupiter, Wells and Rideaux each operated alone.

Wells is charged with distribution of marijuana and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone. Jupiter was booked on charges of distribution of marijuana, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone and possession of drug paraphernalia. Rideaux was charged with distribution of marijuana and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone.

Watkins faces the following charges:

Distribution of marijuana

Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone

Distribution of Xanax

Possession of a firearm in a firearm free zone

Possession with intent to distribute marijuana

Nzekwesi was booked on the following charges:

Distribution of marijuana

Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone

Possession with intent to distribute marijuana

Distribution of Xanax

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Stampley is charged with:

Distribution of marijuana

Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a drug free zone

Possession with intent to distribute marijuana

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of marijuana - 1st offense (outstanding bench warrant)

Traffic violation (bench warrant)

Richard is wanted for distribution of marijuana and violation of a drug free zone. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call EBRSO at 389-5000.

Sheriff's deputies said the Southern University Police Department assisted with the arrests. SUPD, Delta Drug Task Force, Baton Rouge Constable's Office, along with: SCAT, ESU, K-9 and Warrants within EBRSO, assisted with the investigation.

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