Student from Queens among 2 charged in LSD overdoses at Villanova University

WPVI logo
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
VIDEO: 2 students arrested after Villanova Univ. LSD overdoeses
Two college freshmen are facing charges in connection with a drug bust at Villanova University.

RADNOR, Pa. -- A Villanova University student is facing charges after three young people, including two other Villanova freshmen, were rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning after taking LSD.

18-year-old Justin Yim, a freshman at Villanova from Douglaston, Queens is facing a variety of drug related charges, including possession with the intent to deliver, and is now being held on $50,000 bail.

Radnor Township police say they found 37 doses of LSD in Yim's dorm room, located on the South Campus of the Main Line university. They say they also discovered marijuana and close to $9,000 in cash.

Police believe Yim supplied the LSD that sent three young people to the hospital early Saturday morning.

It was just after midnight when public safety officers responded because a male freshman - later determined to be Yim's roommate - was out of control and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Police say the male had walked into a facility on campus and assaulted a female. Public safety officers responded, and the male then allegedly began assaulting the officers as well.

When Radnor police arrived, the male was taken into custody and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital. He has since been charged with aggravated assault.

A short time later, public safety officers responded to another incident where they found another freshman male and a juvenile girl, who visiting campus, also under the influence of LSD. Police say the two appeared to be in the same type of drug-induced state, adding that alcohol appeared to be a factor with some of those involved.

They too were transported to the hospital.

Police say one of the three people involved explained his behavior to authorities by repetitively stating he was under the influence of LSD.

The investigation led police to Yim and the alleged cache of drugs and money in his dorm room.

When he returned to campus Sunday evening he was arrested. Both Radnor Police and Villanova officials said LSD was thought to be a drug of the past. Students and staff were shocked to hear students were using the drug.

Director of Public Safety David Tedjeske says, "LSD on the campus is really unheard of in my 8 years there. I've never had an LSD incident on the campus."

Villanova student Michael Zegber tells us, "It's kind of eye-opening, and it's not something that happens often at all. Kind of freaks you out a little bit."

All the students are out of the hospital. Yim now faces expulsion.

As for Yim's roommate who was charged in the assaults on campus, his name has not yet been released.

Police say the investigation will continue.