Karin Johnson-Reporter

Judge Noah Powers finds Hamilton Police Officer Stephen Heffernan NOT GUILTY on all 4 assault charges he faced. Only WLWT was in the courtroom for the verdict and will have all the details at 5:30.

Two Miami University seniors are now face drug charges after Oxford police executed search warrants at two homes in the last week.

Will Esler, 22, is charged with drug trafficking and drug possession.

Michael Verlinden, 22, is charged with complicity to drug trafficking and drug possession.

According to court documents, an officer wrote:

"On May 8 a controlled delivery of a package shipped to a "Will Esler" at 215 S College Ave took place. This package
contained 30 grams of co***ne which was intercepted by USPS. At approximately 1212 hours, Verlinden picked up the package and ran through the alley towards the rear of the building, meeting up with Esler. A search warrant was conducted and Verlinden was transported for questioning. Verlinden was read his Miranda Warning and he advised he would speak to me without an attorney present. Verlinden was asked what he believed was in the package and he replied that he assumed drugs and stated "my guess would be co***ne, molly or Xanax."

Verlinden signed a search consent form for his cellphone and provided the passcode. Upon download of the electronic data, there were numerous messages between numerous people contacting Verlinden in reference to purchasing drugs or finding people to purchase drugs from. There are communications between Verlinden and Esler about purchasing drugs off of the dark web and having the drugs sent to Esler's residence."