Senior Matthew Louie, one of the three UW-Madison students arrested during a recent bust of a nationwide Ecstasy ring, was released from detention yesterday following his bond hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Louie was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute Ecstasy, as well as two counts of actual distribution and could face up to 60 years in prison and $3 million in fines if convicted.
Magistrate Judge Stephen Crocker said during the hearing, that Louie would be released into his parents' custody, but would also be allowed to attend classes, similar to the decision made for Louie's co-defendant senior Ghassan Majdalani.
\It does recommend release on some fairly stringent restrictions,"" Crocker said. ""I do not anticipate any problems with these things.""
U.S. Attorney Tim O'Shea said the procedure went according to his expectations.
""Whether I'm pleased or not doesn't really matter,"" he said. ""It was a fair outcome.""
The final of the three UW-Madison students arrested under the indictment, Ashkan Farhadieh, will receive his bond hearing tomorrow.
