When parents send their kids to college they hope that they can avoid temptations from other students like drug use. By the same token, college students have to trust their professors to get them through their course of study. Imagine the surprise when your professor asks you to go to Mexico and buy prescription drugs. That’s just what happened at the University of Georgia and it’s rocking the campus. Apparently, Professor Charles Eugene Lance asked the students what they were planning for spring break during a class lecture. When a student responded that she was going to Mexico, Lance allegedly stated, “While you’re there, can you buy me drugs?” The students laughed.
But Lance was serious and when the young female student came by for an office visit, he repeated his request and wrote down the drugs he wanted. He then pulled out cash and gave it to the shocked student. The student stated that she was conflicted, because as a teacher Lance had considerable power over her academic future and she could get arrested by both Mexican and US law enforcement if caught.
She decided to go to a trusted faculty member, who contacted the administration. The student agreed to participate in a sting and that’s how authorities got Lance to incriminate himself. Lance, who is a tenured professor, is now facing criminal attempt to obtain a dangerous drug through fraudulent means and three counts of possession of prescription drugs outside of the original container.
For his part, the professor stated through his lawyer Attorney Elizabeth Grant that the drugs were “common prescription drugs and not controlled substances.” Grant indicated that the professor will fight the charges. In the meantime Dr. Lance has been suspended from his tenured lifetime position until all investigations are complete.
