Updated on: 1/24/2007 @ 9:40 p.m.
Eleven Penn State students were arrested, charged and arraigned Friday for the possession and intent to deliver illegal drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, Ecstasy and cocaine.
Bail for the students ranges from $3,000 to $20,000. Nine students posted bail, while two were still being held at Centre County Prison as of Friday.
Police also arrested a State College Area High School student and a Bellefonte man.
Members of the Centre County Drug Task Force and about 40 officers from Penn State Police began sweeping the State College area and Penn State campus with arrest warrants beginning at about 5:30 a.m., according to a task force press release.
Penn State Police officer Sam Ricciotti and State College Police Cpl. Timothy Sleeth declined to comment on the investigation.
According to the press release, the arrests were the result of a year-long investigation that used undercover officers and confidential informants to purchase the substances.
There are additional outstanding warrants and further arrests are expected, according to the press release.
Those charged include:
James Shelby, 215 W. Fairmount Ave., charged with criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver mushrooms, delivery and possession of psilocybin and criminal use of a communication facility. Shelby, 21, was arraigned before District Justice Jonathan Grine and released on $10,000 bail.
Nellie Vishnevsky, 219 W. Foster Ave., is charged with criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver psilocybin, delivery and possession of psilocybin. Vishnevsky, 20, was arraigned before Grine and released on $4,000 bail.
Fernando Martinez, of Miller Hall, is charged with three counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Martinez, 20, was arraigned before District Justice Carmine Prestia and released on $10,000 bail.
Christopher Caster, of Geary Hall, is charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Caster, 18, was arraigned before Grine and released on $20,000 bail.
Conor Kelley, 217 S. Atherton St., is charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and criminal use of a communication facility. Kelley, 19, was arraigned before Grine and released on $3,000 bail.
Benedict Hilldorfer, 403 Locust Lane, is charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Hilldorfer, 20, was arraigned before Grine and released on $8,000 bail.
Donald Rugh, 403 Locust Lane, is charged with one count of criminal conspiracy and three counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Rugh, 19, was arraigned before Prestia and released on $7,500 bail.
Douglas Hutchinson, 403 Locust Lane, is charged with criminal conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery and possession of marijuana, and criminal use of a communication facility. Hutchinson, 19, was arraigned before District Justice Brad Lunsford and was being held at Centre County Prison Friday on $5,000 bail.
Patrick Connelly, of Pinchot Hall, is charged with possession with intent to deliver Ecstasy, delivery of Ecstasy, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Connelly, 19, was arraigned before Prestia and released on $10,000 bail.
Jacob Funk, 241 S. Atherton St., is charged with two counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and delivery and possession of marijuana. Funk, 22, was arraigned before Prestia and released on $4,000 bail.
Brian Alexander, 1013 S. Allen St., is charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of cocaine, possession of cocaine and two counts each of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery and possession of marijuana, and criminal use of a communication facility. Alexander, 20, was arraigned before Grine and was held Friday in Centre County Prison under $8,000 bail.

