10/30/09 - Weakley County

By: Stephanie Ryan
sryan@wbbjtv.com
7:12 p.m.
 
A University of Tennessee at Martin student is behind bars after police say they found an assault rifle, a .22 caliber pistol and two pounds of marijuana in his on-campus apartment.
 
According to investigators, Tai Young, 19, is facing charges of possession of a Schedule VI drug with intent to resell, two counts of illegal possession of weapons on school property, and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia.
 
Scott Robbins, Director of Public Safety at the University, said Young told officers he had an SKS rifle to protect himself from other drug dealers.  According to Robbins, Young told police he used to deal drugs in Knoxville, where he also used the rifle for protection.
 
"It's disturbing to find marijuana on campus, but it's really disturbing to find someone using an assault rifle like that for their personal protection," Robbins said.  "It could be a very dangerous situation."
 
Investigators said an anonymous tip led investigators to Young's apartment in University Village, where he consented to a search of his apartment.
 
Robbins said he was surprised to find the large amount of marijuana in Young's possession, noting that on-campus drug cases have dropped from 16 in 2007 to 10 in 2008 to 6 cases so far this year.
 
"Most of the cases are low-grade, but this was unusual to find somebody selling this much marijuana and illegal product at a University dorm," Robbins said.
 
Students at UTM like Anna Grace were shocked to learn of the arrest, "I understand handguns for protection, but assault rifles?  [They're] strictly meant for killing, not for protection at all."
 
"To think that something might get out of hand to the point where he would need it is very scary," marketing major Jacob Ross said.
 
Both Ross and Grace said they still feel safe on campus, especially knowing police arrested the alleged criminal before anyone was harmed.
 
Young remains in jail in Weakley County until his arraignment Monday afternoon.
 
University officials said because of their no-tolerance drug and weapons policy, Young will likely be suspended and dismissed.