12 Tuesday, September 23, 1986 / University Daily Kansan Stiff sentence is goal of plea arrangement By RIC ANDERSON Staff writer KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Cocaine-related charges against Richard von Ende, former University executive secretary, were reduced yesterday because federal law enforcement officials hope to make him serve a stiffer penalty on fewer charges. U. S. Attorney Ben Burgess said it was highly unlikely that von Ende would have been given the maximum sentence on each of his previous six charges. The reduction would make it more likely that von Ende would be given a stiffer sentence on the remaining charges, he said. "If he contested the charges and was found guilty, the maximum sentence for his six counts would have been 90 years and $750,000." Burgess said. "Obviously, a judge probably wouldn't give him that sentence." Burgess said the maximum sentence for the two charges against Von Ende was 30 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Von Ende received the reduction in return for his plea of guilty to two charges. He pleaded guilty to a new charge, the distribution of cocaine to Bradley Smoot, a Lawrence attorney and formerly von Ende's attorney in a separate civil suit. Von Ende also pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine, a charge brought against him in July. Also yesterday, Robert L. Parker of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine. His sentencing date also was set for Nov. 10 in Kansas City, Kan. Burgess did not establish a link between von Ende's reduced charges and Smoot's indictment, but said a drug investigation would continue. Von Ende and 20 others, including 12 former KU students, were indicted July 22 on cocaine-related charges. Three counts of distributing cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine were dismissed against von Ende, Burgess said. Von Ende's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. George Clemente, an agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, said the investigation would end "when everyone stops using cocaine." The new charge against von Ende stems from a Jan. 16 incident in which, von Ende admitted, he distributed about one gram of cocaine to Smoot at the West Lawrence entrance of the Kansas Turnpike. Smoot was charged yesterday with possession of cocaine, a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in prison and $5,000 in fines. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Sept. 30 at U.S. District Court in Topeka. He could not be reached for comment yesterday. Von Ende also pleaded guilty to a charge brought against him for an incident Feb. 6 when he and Michael Kiefer, a Lawrence resident, met at 809 Crestline Drive and allegedly conspired to distribute cocaine. complex Trial proceedings in Kiefer's case are scheduled to begin today at U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. Burgess said recent prosecutions against professional people should demonstrate that no one in Kansas was immune from prosecution for drug offenses. Kansan staff reporter Beth Copeland contributed information to this story. Chancellor Gene A. Budig released the following statement after the resignation of University Executive Secretary Richard von Ende. It is presented here in its entirety: Drugs continue to destroy lives, careers, and mental and physical health. BUDIG ON VON ENDE Drugs have impacted the operations of business, industry, education, athletics, entertainment and the professions. Drug abuse must be stopped. The son Ender case represents a tragedy. He knew the powerful of Kansas. He was respected by them. He had a record of exceptional service to the University of Kansas over the years. Then drugs entered the picture. It is my hope that others will learn from this sad event. It is my hope that this unfortunate case will serve as a significant deterrent. Perhaps something good can come out of this tragedy. He now must pay his debt to society. While doing so, he will have an opportunity to reorder his life and emerge as a productive citizen. I have accepted his resignation. Parent-politician says penalty applies to son By BETH COPELAND Staff writer As a parent, Martha Parker was sick when she learned that her son had been charged for cocaine trafficking. As a politician, she stressed the need for drug education programs and for stricter penalties for drug dealers. The parent-politician is the Republican running for the state House of Representatives in the 45th District. Her son, Robert L. Parker, 31, pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of distribution of cocaine on May 14, according to U.S. Attorney Benjamin Burgess. Plea draws local reactions Legislators surprised, sympathetic about resignation By BETH COPELAND a local legislator said yesterday that Richard von Ende's resignation was appropriate in light of his guilty plea to two cocaine-related charges. "I don't think Rick could be effective in the Legislature at this point," state Rep. John Solbach, D-Lawrence, said. Von Ende, former University executive secretary, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one charge of distribution of cocaine. Von Ende had been appointed to represent the University as a lobbyist in the state Legislature and at Board of Regents meetings. State Sen. Wint Winter, R- Lawrence, said he was surprised to learn of von Ende's plea. State Rep. Jesse Branson's reaction was one of sympathy. He said he didn't expect the guilty plea to significantly influence antidrug legislation. "Certainly, this is a tragedy," Branson, D-Lawrence, said. "We're becoming more and more aware of drugs as a serious area of concern. We find use of drugs — especially cocaine — in every sector of society. I hope the Legislature is cognizant of this," Branson said. Winter and Branson said that they had heard rumors of von Ende's drug use but that they did not know anything firsthand. "But I couldn't directly attribute that to drugs." Sulbach also said that he was surprised to learn of von Ende's guilty plea but that it should not be a bad reflection on the University. "It's a loss to the University that someone with that kind of role got caught up in something as devastating as cocaine," he said. He had been charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. All other charges against Parker have been dismissed, Burgess said. He said there would be little effect on the University because von Ende's lobbying duties had been temporarily assigned to James Bibb and Marlin Rein, both associate directors of business and fiscal affairs. "People started noticing changes in him two years ago," Winter said. "Yes, Rick has a tremendous amount of knowledge about the legislative process and of KU," Solbach said. "But no one is indispensable." Martha Parker learned of the cocaine charges filed against her son in July, after she had decided to run for the House seat. She is running against Democratic incumbent John Solbach in the Nov. 4 general election. "I had been out campaigning when I heard in my car that Robert had been charged," she said. "I was literally sick for a day and a half." Yesterday, however, she calmly responded to news of her son's guilty plea. "He's been gone from home for 13 years," she said. "It's not my responsibility. I feel no guilt." She said that her campaign staff was aware of the charges against her son, and that together they decided to continue the campaign. "Everyone was very supportive," she said. "We decided to go through with it. I cannot let that stop me." --introduces NON-OBSOLESCENCE Drug education, she said, should begin at the pre-school level, and parents should take an active role in warning their children of the dangers of drugs. She acknowledged that her hardline approach to drug enforcement could affect many people — including her son. "Robert should be treated no differently than anyone else," she said. "If he's guilty, he's guilty." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND $10.00 OFF COMPLETE DETAIL PACKAGE We'll get your car REALLY CLEAN! If you think a car is clean being vacuumed, washed, and polished, you haven't seen our car detailing crew in action! Equipped with cotton swabs, toothbrushes and rags, they search every conceivable hiding place for dust, dirt and grime. 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