LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A professor with Union Adventist University has been arrested after authorities intercepted a drug-filled package in New York.
Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force arrested 45-year-old Benjamin Tyner on Wednesday. He faces one count of intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
The Customs and Border Patrol at the JFK Airport in New York City flagged a package from Sheffield, United Kingdom on Oct. 30. The package appeared to contain licorice, but authorities discovered a baggie inside containing 63.4 grams of ecstasy pills.
Authorities in Lincoln were informed about the package by a special agent with Homeland Security on Nov. 1. The package was bound for a home in Lincoln for Tyner, according to the affidavit. The package arrived for investigators on Nov. 4 and was taken into evidence.
However, 15 ecstasy tablets were left out for a controlled delivery at Tyner’s home. Investigators, in coordination with the United States Postal Service, left the package in his mailbox on Wednesday. Authorities said Tyner picked the package up around 2:45 p.m. and drove away.
An officer pulled Tyner over along South 27th Street and took him into custody. Authorities searched his vehicle and found some of the package’s contents had been removed. They also found five used meth pipes and a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle, according to an arrest affidavit.
Tyner later gave written consent for authorities to search his home, and some cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found at the home, police wrote.
Tyner is a professor of history and director of the Politics, History and International Relations Program at Union Adventist University.
On Thursday, the university released a statement saying Tyner has been placed on administrative leave and that the university will “fully cooperate” with authorities as they investigate.
“Dr. Tyner has been a valued member of our community for many years, and we ask our campus family to proceed with grace,” University President Dr. Yami Bazan said.
We don’t note this story with any measure of glee or enthusiasm, in fact we wish we didn’t have to report on it. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug abuse, and a worldview where such things are acceptable.
Tyner studied at LaSierra University and Newbold College.
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“They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:21).
“They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink” (Matthew 27:34).
