Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190160
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: VICTORIA RATCLIFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
According to a bond revocation warrant filed in U.S. District Court in Roanoke, Steven J. Hoerner, 23, of Blacksburg took a 1992 Nissan Stanza XE from New River Valley Nissan for a test drive on Halloween but failed to bring the car back.
Federal authorities filed the warrant to revoke Hoerner's bond - $10,000 cash and $50,000 in unsecured funds that had been posted by his parents. But prosecutors have not made a decision whether to revoke the bond, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Eckert.
Hoerner had the Nissan in his possession when he was arrested last week by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Eckert said.
In addition to the drug charges he faces, Hoerner was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Roanoke on charges of contempt of court by jumping bond and of transporting a stolen car over state lines.
Canadian officials deported Hoerner on grounds that he violated Canadian immigration laws by entering the country with stolen property, Eckert said.
Canadian officials, who had been alerted by the FBI to be on the lookout for Hoerner, turned him over to the custody of U.S. marshals at the border, he said. The marshals service has not brought Hoerner back to Roanoke.
Until his arrest, Hoerner was last seen in Aspen, Colo, where he was arrested in November on charges of public drunkenness and resisting arrest. He posted bond and was released by Aspen officials, who were unaware of charges pending against him in Virginia.
Hoerner was one of six Tech students arrested Sept. 24 after a yearlong investigation by local, state and federal authorities. The investigation began when authorities discovered that cocaine was being purchased in Fairfax and brought to Blacksburg.
Hoerner was charged with possessing and intending to distribute 11 ounces of cocaine and carrying a Ruger 9mm pistol during a trip to Fairfax to buy cocaine. He also was indicted in October on charges of growing more than 200 marijuana plants.
Agents who searched his apartment at the Terrace View Apartment complex in Blacksburg after his arrest found 204 growing marijuana plants.
Hoerner faces a maximum of 40 years in prison on the pot-growing charge. He faces up to 20 years and a $1 million fine on the cocaine charge and a maximum five years and $250,000 fine on the firearms charge. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the interstate transportation of stolen property charge. The penalty for contempt of court is left to the judge's discretion.
by CNB