Janamanchi was one of 12 students who overdosed on MDMA.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: An Indian American student was the fifth one to be implicated in a high-profile drug scandal at Wesleyan College involving MDMA, or Molly, after a spate of 12 toxic overdoses occurred last month.
Abhimanyu Janamanchi, 21, of Rockville, Maryland, was charged with two counts each of possession of a hallucinogenic controlled substance and sale of a hallucinogenic controlled substance and one count each of possession and sale of a non-narcotic controlled substance.
Janamanchi, who emigrated from India in 1995, was one of 12 students who had to be hospitalized and resuscitated after a party at Wesleyan went horribly awry.
Four students have been arraigned in connection to the February 22 party that led to the deluge of overdoses. Four other students were suspended from the prestigious liberal arts university following their arrests and are scheduled for disciplinary hearings.
Eric Lonergan, 21, of Rio de Janerio, Brazil, was charged with 16 counts of illegally obtaining or supplying drugs and possession of a controlled substance.
Andrew Olson, 20, of Atascadero, Calif., was charged with two counts of possession of a hallucinogen and sale of hallucinogen. In addition, he is facing charges of possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
Zachary Kramer, 21, of Bethesda, Maryland, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a regulated substance and possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana.
Rama Agha Al Nakib, 20, Lutherville, Maryland, was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Janamanchi appeared in court last week and was issued a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court on April 21, when he will find out exactly what repercussions lay in store for him. As with the implicated students, he has been suspended as well.
“Given the nature of the charges, we immediately suspended this student pending a formal hearing,” Wesleyan spokeswoman Lauren Rubenstein said of Janamanchi in a statement Friday. “Wesleyan takes very seriously allegations concerning the distribution of dangerous drugs, and we will continue to cooperate with state and local officials to do everything we can to make our community as safe as possible.”