A Lafayette student was arraigned on Sept. 18 on charges of unlawful possession of and intent to sell marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.

According to court records, a public safety officer approached Thomas Peter Bain ‘16 on Aug. 29 at approximately 2:14 a.m., after backing his car into a parking lot next to a college van. When the officer approached the vehicle, which was not visible from the roadway, he reportedly detected the odor of marijuana.

The officer asked Bain what he was doing, to which Bain reportedly responded, “Can’t I park here?” and attempted to close the car door. After preventing Bain from closing and locking the door, the officer investigated further, locating and seizing multiple bags of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

The officer tested the substances and found that Bain was in possession of three bags of marijuana, one bag of psilocybin mushrooms, a grinder with residue, two rollers and rolling paper, according to court records.

Bain is being charged with two misdemeanors: one for possession of a controlled substance and the other for possession of drug paraphernalia, court records say. Sergeant Keith O’Hay, who arraigned Bain, said that because Bain was in possession of more than 30 grams of drugs, he is also being charged with a felony for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Bain was fingerprinted and processed at central booking on Sept. 18, and released on unsecured bail by District Judge Antonia Grifo. He did not spend time in prison, O’Hay said.

The next step for Bain will be a preliminary hearing on Sept. 28, where a judge will decide how to proceed.

Until then, Bain, if approved, will be supervised by Northhampton County Pretrial services, according to court records. If recommended by pretrial services, Bain will be required to undergo random drug and alcohol screening, drug and alcohol evaluation and mental health evaluation.
Assistant District Attorney representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Patricia Mulqueen declined to comment on the case due to its ongoing nature. Both Bain and his attorney, Michael Brunnabend, were contacted for comment but did not respond in time for publication.

Bain has pled guilty for three previous crimes: a noise control/peace nuisance in 2012, and speeding violations in 2012 and 2013, according to court documents.