Four Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity members and one pledge were arrested last Sunday in Fauquier County and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and opium.
Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Capt. Fred Pfeiff said the five students were arrested after police stopped their car on Route 29 for speeding around 3:30 a.m. April 16.
Third-year Engineering student Russell Tolerton, second-year Engineering student Matthew Femal, second-year College students Christopher Burton and Francisco Robert and first-year College student Marc Centor each were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and one count of possession with intent to distribute opium.
If convicted of the felony charges, the students could face a minimum of five and a maximum of 40 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
Pfeiff said police searched the students' car after the driver was asked some preliminary questions.
Officers discovered baggies of marijuana, containers of opium and other drug paraphernalia, he said.
The five students then were taken into custody and charged before the county magistrate. They each have since been released on $10,000 bond.
The students face a June 1 court date in Fauquier County General District Court.
Pfeiff did not disclose the amount of drugs found or comment on why the students were charged with possession with intent to distribute, rather than only possession, but he said possession with intent to distribute is a "much more serious offense."
Centor, Tolerton and Robert declined to comment. Femal and Burton could not be reached for comment.
SPE President Todd Mersch confirmed that Tolerton, Robert, Femal and Burton are fraternity members and Centor is a SPE pledge.
Mersch said the fraternity is investigating the incident and cooperating with University officials.
"The charges in no way embody the morals, virtues and principles that guide SPE," he said, adding that the fraternity will decide what action to take after the students' criminal proceedings are over.
Inter-Fraternity Council President Justin Saunders said the IFC also intends to cooperate with the University and other officials during the investigation.
No formal Inter-Fraternity Council Judiciary Committee charges have been filed, Saunders said.
The IFC hopes to "make sure the appropriate problems are addressed [and] elucidate what the problems are," he said.
University Police Chief Mike Sheffield said it is highly unusual for students to be arrested for opium possession.
"That caught us by surprise," Sheffield said.
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