by Rebekah W. Metzler

The Tufts University senior arrested April 12 on Rt. 16 in Medford by state troopers on drug charges is scheduled for a May 11 pre-trial hearing Somerville District Court.

Marcus Mattingly, 23, of Dripping Spring, Texas, was pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle when police found about 200 grams of cocaine, a large amount of cash, and other drug paraphernalia, said Middlesex District Attorney Martha Coakley. 

After obtaining a search warrant and notifying the Tufts University Police Department, the state police searched Mattingly’s room, located in the Delta Upsilon Fraternity on the Tufts’ campus.

Police found approximately 80 more grams of cocaine, more suspicious amounts of cash, and more drug paraphernalia, the district attorney said. 

Mattingly was arrested on charges of trafficking cocaine over 200 grams, possession of Class D substances, a federal categorization that includes marijuana and barbiturates, driving an un-registered vehicle, and a school zone violation, the district attorney said.

The Tufts senior entered a not guilty plea before Judge Allen Jarasitis, who set a cash bail at $10,000.

Bruce Reitman, Tufts’ dean of students, said the school has taken appropriate action. “He is currently suspended from Tufts; He is not allowed to be present on the campus.  His eventual status will depend on the results of the court case.” 

The University is undecided at this time what actions will be taken given a not guilty or guilty verdict.  At some point it may be possible for Mattingly to gain his degree, but at this time he is no longer a student at the University, Reitman said. 

Mattingly has also been evicted from the Delta Upsilon fraternity house and expelled from the fraternity, he said.

Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane said he was shocked to hear the amount of cocaine involved.

“Obviously it’s a college campus, it is a foregone conclusion that stuff like that goes on, but the sheer volume really surprised me.”

Trane said he is unsure what the repercussions this incident will be on the community, but he expects Mattingly to be prosecuted to the full
extent of the law. 

A conviction could carry a penalty for trafficking cocaine over 200 grams is 15-20 years.

Mattingly’s arrest has come just on the heels of a Tufts University decision to shut down another fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, for one year following a hazing incident in February. 

The fraternity had already been on alcohol probation for alcohol related violations, said Reitman.  “Delta Tau Delta has been closed for hazing, effective at end of semester, remaining physically closed and un-opened for the next year,” said Reitman. 

“This is an instance where the policies already in place at Tufts were at work.  The judicial branch of the committee on Fraternities and Sororities, a board of 10 students and administrators, made a unanimous decision to close the fraternity,” said Reitman. 

“The unanimous vote clearly shows that the values of the Tufts community are united between students and the administration.  It is clear that neither is willing to stand idly by when there is a danger to the community,” said Reitman.

However, in Mattingly’s case, the fraternity Delta Upsilon has been left out of disciplinary action, he said.

Reitman said that no information from the authorities indicated the fraternity itself was involved in Mattingly’s alleged illegal activities.   

The last incident on the Tufts campus to involve cocaine was at least 10 years ago, he said.