Union Adventist University Professor Arrested for Drug Possession
12 November, 2024|
45-year-old Dr. Benjamin Tyner was arrested on Wednesday, November 6, charged with one count of intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Dr. Tyner is a professor of history and director of the Politics, History, and International Relations Program at Union Adventist University. On October 30, the Customs and Border Patrol at JFK Airport in New York City flagged a package from Sheffield, United Kingdom, to Tyner in Lincoln, Nebraska. On November 1, a special agent from Homeland Security contacted Lincoln authorities, informing them that the flagged package for Tyner held licorice and a small baggie containing 63.4 grams of ecstasy pills hidden inside.
Three days later the package arrived, and investigators collaborated with the United States Postal Service to remove 15 ecstasy pills for a controlled drop at the cluster mailbox near South 57th Street and Brendon Lane. Tyner picked up the package at 2:45 pm and was pulled over by an officer along South 27th Street. A brief search revealed five used meth pipes and a small amount of methamphetamine in his vehicle and a small amount of cocaine and drug paraphernalia found at his home.
Tyner was arraigned on Thursday, and his bond was set at 10% of $50,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 3. Union Adventist University released a statement placing Tyner on administrative leave and saying that they would cooperate fully with authorities during the investigation. It is unknown whether Tyner was using the drugs, selling them, or both; however, in a statement by university president Dr. Yami Bazan:
“Dr. Tyner has been a valued community member for many years, and we ask our campus family to proceed with grace. 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 in turmoil, while respecting appropriate boundaries.”
