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Former
police officer and husband indicted on added drug charges
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[APRIL 16, 2005]
Logan County
State's Attorney Tim Huyett announced that a grand jury has returned
supplemental indictments against Diana Short, former city of Lincoln
police officer, and her husband, John, a former paramedic.
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An Illinois State Police drug
task force armed with a search warrant raided their residence on
Dec. 15, 2004, and the Shorts were arrested for operating a
marijuana grow room in the basement of their Lincoln residence.
The delay between the original and
supplemental charges was to allow the examination of evidence that
was collected during that raid. Certain spores were recovered at the
time.
The spores were identified as
psilocybin spores that are used to propagate psilocybin mushrooms.
Psilocybin is a Schedule 1 drug that when ingested produces a
hallucinogenic stupor.
The additional charges are
controlled substances trafficking and unlawful manufacture of a
controlled substance. The trafficking charge stems from the
importation of psilocybin spores used to manufacture in excess of
200 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
Professors from state universities
and forensic experts associated with the state police examined the
spores and other evidence that was collected.
[to top of second column in this article]
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 This evidence, Huyett believes,
supports the additional charges.
The trafficking charge is a Class X
felony carrying a range of sentences from 12 to 60 years in the
Department of Corrections. The manufacturing charge carries six- to
30-year penalties. Probation is not an option.
The Shorts' next court date is in
August for jury trial. Huyett expects a date sooner to arraign the
Shorts on the new charges, but as yet no date has been set.
[News release and LDN]
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