Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Wesleyan Student Arrested While Visiting Molly Overdose Victim In Hospital
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 26, 2015
Modified Feb 26, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 26, 2015
Modified Feb 26, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The four Wesleyan University students arrested after 12 people overdosed on MDMA, or Molly, on the school's campus were arraigned on drug charges. As it turns out, three of the students are neuroscience majors.
Over the weekend, 10 students and two visitors to the campus fell ill after taking Molly. A number were hospitalized. It's suspected that the drug came from a "bad batch" which would make "the health risks unpredictable and treatment to combat the effects complex and problematic," the Middletown police chief said. Police are investigating whether the Molly was distributed at an on-campus rave at the Eclectic Society frat house.
Zachary Kramer, 21; Eric Lonergan, 21; Andrew Olson, 20; and Rama Agha Al Nakib, 20, were all suspended from the school as they face charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hallucinogen, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, etc. NBC Connecticut reports, "According to the warrants for their arrest, investigators searching the homes of Lonergan, Kramer and Nakib didn't find MDMA - but they did find other drugs, including 610 Xanax pills in Nakib's room, 516 pills of 16 types at Lonergan's home and 197 nitrous oxide cartridges at Kramer's residence."
Lonergan, al-Nakib and Kramer are all neuroscience majors. Olson is reportedly the founder of the "Wesleyan chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy," which "mobilizes and empowers young people to participate in the political process, pushing for sensible policies to achieve a safer and more just future, while fighting back against counterproductive Drug War policies, particularly those that directly harm students and youth." NBC Connecticut has more from the group's statement:
The fact is that prohibition of drugs, and laws against health-based approaches that could make drug use less dangerous, has created a situation where a black market is responsible for producing drugs of unknown composition, purity, and potency. Rather than demonize otherwise successful young people for engaging in activities that happen on campuses across the world every weekend, we should all be appalled that young people's lives have once again been endangered by failed laws that inevitably lead to overdose and that other young people's lives will be disrupted as they get dragged into the criminal justice system. At Wesleyan, one in 13 students was disciplined for a drug violation in 2013, proving that this scenario will play out again and again until we end drug prohibition and replace it with laws based on justice, compassion, evidence, and common sense.
Kramer was arrested while visiting a hospital: Per the Hartford Courant, "Police said they arrested Kramer at Hartford Hospital, where he was visiting one of the two students still receiving treatment."
Attorney Jennifer Zito, who represented Kramer, said the state's case is weak. She said Kramer did not attend a party at the Ecelectic Society, but went to pick up a friend there.
Zito said Kramer has a grade point average above 4.0, and is hoping to go to medical school. She said he has worked with a nonprofit organization and is hoping to graduate early.
"He has distinguished himself in all areas academically at the university," Zito said during the arraignment.
Two students remain hospitalized.
Tagged
drugs
mdma
Molly
WEsleyan University
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
Facing drought and sea level rise, authority looks at expanding major NY reservoir
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
Facing drought and sea level rise, authority looks at expanding major NY reservoir
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .