Navarro College Issues Press Release

March 5, 2010

Navarro College Student Dies Following Felony Drug Arrest

A Navarro College student died Thurs., March 4 in a local hospital following an arrest on felony drug charges. Ahjah Dixon, 23, from Grand Prairie, Texas, was arrested by Navarro College campus police and taken to the Navarro County Jail on Thursday following an incident the night before in which a roommate reported Dixon to residence life staff for alcohol violations.

According to Kraig Hawkins, Navarro College chief of police, residence life staff were called to Dixon’s room Wednesday evening by a roommate who stated Dixon wanted her to purchase alcohol. Both residence life staff and campus police responded and saw bottles of alcohol in the room. After initial questioning of Dixon, campus police officers noted she appeared to be under the influence. Upon further investigation, Dixon surrendered a bible that contained a white, powdery substance. A field test was conducted and tested positive for cocaine. The substance and alcohol were seized and an ambulance called to the location to take Dixon to a local hospital for evaluation. She was subsequently released from the hospital and returned to her room.

The following day, after presenting information on the incident to the district attorney, an arrest warrant was issued for Dixon. Campus police returned to her room and made the arrest. She was then transported and booked into the Navarro County Jail.

Later in the afternoon, jailers noticed Dixon appeared to be acting strangely and an ambulance was called to transport her to the hospital. She was taken to Navarro Regional Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m.

Records indicate that Dixon first enrolled in Navarro College during the spring semester. She was already on probation for an alcohol incident that occurred Feb. 3. She was recommended for counseling, but failed to attend.

In accordance with state policy, campus police, residence life and county officials were interviewed yesterday by a member of the Texas Rangers. The white, powdery substance confiscated during Wednesday evening has been sent to the state lab for further testing.

Contacts:

Donna Parish Director of Market Relations (903) 875-7338 donna.parish@navarrocollege.edu

Connie Cade Marketing Specialist (903) 875-7337 connie.cade@navarrocollege.edu