Bond was set at $40,000 yesterday for a former Ohio University student after she pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and trafficking of LSD.
Aria N. Jackson, 22, was arrested May 29 after about 140 doses of LSD and cash were found at her E. State Street apartment. Jackson can pay 10 percent of the $40,000 bond, but must live with her mother in Cleveland.
An in-depth investigation by the Major Crimes Task Force found that Jackson had supplied LSD to three people on campus. Officers had been buying drugs undercover since November 2007.
The Major Crimes Task Force is made up of law enforcement officials from Athens, Washington and Morgan counties.
Jackson was charged with trafficking of LSD, a second-degree felony punishable by up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine, and possession, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Assistant Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn requested bond stay at $35,000 and no 10 percent allowed. He also requested that the defendant be required to live with her mother in Cleveland if a lesser bond was assigned.
Jackson's lawyer, Todd Grace, said that Jackson's mother was already looking into treatment programs for her daughter's underlying abuse issues near their hometown in Cleveland. Jackson's mother understood this large responsibility and was willing to cosign a bond for ten percent, Grace added.
Jackson was arrested with James W. Pridgen, 27, who is currently facing an unrelated charge for possession of marijuana after officers found 7.2 pounds of marijuana, $1,600 in cash and a loaded handgun in his Riverpark Towers apartment.
Jackson's bond requires she have no contact with Pridgen.
A hearing is set in Jackson's case for Aug. 4.
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Natalie LaConte
Bond set at $40,000 in drug trafficking case
