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BUCKHANNON – A West Virginia Wesleyan College student was arrested by members of the Mountain Lakes Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force Monday after college security officials allegedly found marijuana and a gun in his dorm room.
Taylor Kulla, 21, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was arrested Monday, Feb. 11, for possession with intent to deliver, marijuana, and possessing a deadly weapon on the premises of an educational facility, both felonies.
According to the complaint filed in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office by investigating officer Cpl. Rodney Rolenson with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, members of the Buckhannon Police Department were notified by Wesleyan security officers that they had received information about a marijuana-like odor emanating from a dorm room in Dunn Hall, a residence facility.
Wesleyan security officials then located the room and spoke with Kulla in reference to the odor, the report states. Kulla allegedly gave one of the security officers a vape pen device used to smoke THC oil and admitted to smoking in the room.
Security officers subsequently conducted a brief search of Kulla’s room and allegedly found pre-packaged marijuana along with the materials typically used in the packaging and distribution of marijuana as well as U.S. currency, the complaint states.
In addition, a Glock model 17 9 mm pistol was located in a backpack, according to the report.
The complaint cites Wesleyan’s Residence Life Accommodations and Policies Agreement 2018-2019 edition, which states that firearm possession on campus is prohibited. Members of the Mountain Lakes Drug Task Force arrived and obtained a search warrant before proceeding to collect the materials found by college security officers.
Wesleyan released a brief statement concerning the arrest.
“The college is cooperating with local law enforcement officials and will follow all procedures that are outlined in the Code of Conduct in Wesleyan’s Student Handbook,” the statement reads.
Magistrate Kay Hurst arraigned Kulla, setting bond at $40,000 for possession with intent to deliver, marijuana, and $40,000 for possessing deadly weapon on premises of educational facilities.
If convicted on the possession charge, Kulla faces confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than one and nor more than five years and/or a fine of not more than $15,000. The penalty for a conviction of possessing a deadly weapon on the premises of educational facilities is imprisonment for a definite term of not less than two years nor more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
The West Virginia House of Delegates is currently considering legislation that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of state colleges and universities. Among the bill’s co-sponsors is Del. Caleb Hanna (R-Webster).
The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. A public hearing was held Monday.
