On 12 March 2003, some 20 Iowa narcotics agents raided the Johnston home of David C. England, the 50-year-old president of Des Moines Area Community College, after two separate tips that he held a large quantity of marijuana.[1][2] Officers found more than two pounds of packaged marijuana, 72 plants, a scale and plastic bags, with marijuana in every bedroom, and arrested England as he smoked a joint.[2] The harvested marijuana was worth about $8,000, police said.[1] England was charged with manufacturing and delivery of marijuana, conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia and a drug-tax-stamp violation, and was held on $49,075 bond while the college placed him on paid administrative leave.[1] His wife Donna, 22-year-old daughter Jessica and 17-year-old son were also charged in the case.[3]
Pleas and sentences
Two weeks after the raid England resigned the presidency, giving up a salary of nearly $200,000 a year, and a college audit found no link between the case and students, staff or college funds, though some donors withheld contributions.[2][3] On 29 April, England pleaded guilty to two felony counts including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; his lawyer said the distribution count rested on England sharing his personal stash with his wife, while the prosecutor believed he shared more widely.[3] Donna and Jessica pleaded guilty the same day to possession with intent to distribute and tax-stamp charges, and Jessica was sentenced at once to two years’ probation.[3] In June, David and Donna England were each sentenced to two years’ probation with 100 hours of community service under deferred judgments that would clear their convictions if they stayed out of trouble, and the children were likewise placed on probation.[4][2]
