Stephen Howard, former Auburn University laboratory technician, plead not guilty at his arraignment hearing, Tuesday morning, June 16, at the U.S. District Court in Montgomery. Howard was indicted earlier this month on six charges, including possessing with an intent to distribute 1,4-butainediol, which converts to the date rape drug GHB when ingested.
According to Mike Clardy, interim assistant vice president for the Office of Communications and Marketing, Howard resigned from his position at the University June 2.
"We are currently investigating what, if any, remedial measures, including policy changes should be made to prevent similar situations in the future," Clardy said in an email.
Howard worked as a chemical lab technician in the department of polymer and fiber engineering, which the Auburn Board of Trustees voted to close Friday, June 5, eliminating the bachelor's degree in that field.
Howard was arrested May 22 after he sold 20 ounces of 1,4-butanediol for $2 per ounce to an undercover Auburn police officer during two separate occasions, May 7 and May 14, according to detective Chris Carver, who served as a witness in the preliminary and detention hearing, Wednesday May 27.
In addition to three counts of possessing 1,4-butanediol with an intent to distribute, Howard was indicted on two counts of firearm possession and one count of methamphetamine possession, according to a report by The Opelika-Auburn News earlier this month.
Federal Public Defender Don Bethel suggested the next date on the Opelika docket would be a reasonable trial date for Howard based on the amount of resources the government has on the case and that the investigation is ongoing.
"I think just to be on the safe side we would need that much time," Bethel said in court.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Wallace Capel, Jr. denied Howard bail during the hearing on May 27.
A trial date was set for Jan. 4, 2016.
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