LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A professor with Union Adventist University has been arrested after authorities intercepted a drug-filled package in New York.
Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force arrested 45-year-old Benjamin Tyner on Wednesday. He faces one count of intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
The Customs and Border Patrol at the JFK Airport in New York City flagged a package from Sheffield, United Kingdom on Oct. 30. The package appeared to contain licorice, but authorities discovered a baggie inside containing 63.4 grams of ecstasy pills.
Authorities in Lincoln were informed about the package by a special agent with Homeland Security on Nov. 1. The package was bound for a home in Lincoln for Tyner, according to the affidavit. The package arrived for investigators on Nov. 4 and taken into evidence.
However, 15 ecstasy tablets were left out for a controlled delivery at Tyner’s home. Investigators, in coordination with the United States Postal Service, left the package in his mailbox on Wednesday. Authorities said Tyner picked the package up around 2:45 p.m. and drove away.
An officer pulled Tyner over along South 27th Street and took him into custody. Authorities searched his vehicle and found some of the package’s contents had been removed. They also found five used meth pipes and a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tyner later gave written consent for authorities to search his home, and a small amount of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found at the home, police wrote.
Tyner is a professor of history and director of the Politics, History and International Relations Program at Union Adventist University.
On Thursday, the university released a statement saying Tyner has been placed on administrative leave and that the university will “fully cooperate” with authorities as they investigate.
“Dr. Tyner has been a valued member of our community for many years, and we ask our campus family to proceed with grace,” University President Dr. Yami Bazan said. “Please do not speculate. I invite you to join as a campus family in prayer for Dr. Tyner, his family and close friends whose lives have been thrown into turmoil while also respecting appropriate boundaries.”
The statement also asked that students be patient as a course is charted forward, and that Tyner’s classes will be covered by substitutes.
Tyner was arraigned on Thursday, and his bond was set at 10% of $50,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 3.
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