
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 25, 1992                   TAG: 9203250239
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: VICTORIA RATCLIFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TECH STUDENT ACQUITTED OF DRUG CHARGE

One of six Virginia Tech students indicted last year in the distribution of 3.4 grams of cocaine to an undercover Blacksburg police officer was acquitted Tuesday by a federal court jury in Roanoke.

Jaeho Joseph Yang, 21, had faced up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted, his attorney, Tony Anderson, said.

Anderson argued that the jury should find his client innocent because the government had entrapped him. He said Yang had sold the cocaine to the undercover officer only as a favor to a friend - a friend he didn't realize was acting as an informant.

Yang's arrest was a result of a yearlong investigation that began after authorities discovered cocaine was being purchased in Fairfax and brought to Blacksburg, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Eckert said last year.

Testimony showed that Yang was introduced to the undercover police officer by Ron Musgrave - a friend who was working as an informant, Anderson said. After several taped telephone conversations between Yang and the police officer, Yang set up a deal between the officer and another Tech student, Anderson said.

Anderson said his client was extremely remorseful for his involvement in the deal.

by CNB