By Gina Holt
Enquirer contributor

The former president of the Northern Kentucky University Foundation could face five years in prison for trafficking marijuana.

The preliminary hearing for James Alford, of Highland Heights, originally scheduled for this week, has been postponed until Feb. 13. Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney Anthony Bracke and Mr. Alford's defense attorney, Dean Pisacano, agreed on Thursday to ask for a postponement because lab results were not ready.

"We're waiting because the police wanted to get a lab report to determine the exact weight and to confirm it was marijuana," Mr. Bracke said.

Mr. Alford was arrested Dec. 19 and charged with trafficking more than 8 ounces of marijuana, a felony.

"Ourselves, along with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force and the Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney's Office conducted a monthlong investigation," said Highland Heights Police Chief Carl Mullen. "We acted off a complaint of an individual.

"Previous to the arrest date, there were numerous marijuana purchases made. ... On the arrest date it was greater than 8 ounces, which is a felony. It's equal to about three-fourths of a freezer bag. It's a substantial amount."

Mr. Pisacano said he wanted to want until after the tests to fully comment. "We just continued the preliminary hearing. I just want to confirm what the lab report is going to contain. We've entered a plea of not guilty."

Chief Mullen said there is no evidence that Mr. Alford sold drugs at NKU. However, he does live within 1,000 yards of the university, which could call for an additional charge.

Even if the lab finds the amount was less than 8 ounces, the added charge of trafficking within 1,000 yards of a school would keep the possible sentence at one to five years. Chris Cole, spokesman for NKU, said Mr. Alford immediately resigned from the foundation after his arrest.

Henry "Bud" Pogue IV stepped up from vice president to interim president and CEO of the NKU Foundation.

A search will be done to fill the position permanently.

The foundation operates independently from NKU as a nonprofit organization. It was created in 1970 to provide services and material necessary or desirable for the growth and development of the university.

Mr. Pogue, 82, of Fort Thomas, has been affiliated with the foundation since the mid-'70s and has served on the executive committee for 15 years.

He is chairman of Pogue Inc. and Fort Thomas Enterprises Inc. His wife, Betty Maupin Pogue, serves on the NKU Board of Regents.

He has worked with Mr. Alford for years and said he was shocked to hear he had been arrested.

"I was disappointed because I had worked with Jim on almost a daily basis 30 to 40 hours a week," said Mr. Pogue.

"We've been trying to put some major development together for NKU and the foundation. I was astonished. I had no indication that he was doing what he is being accused of."

Mr. Cole said neither the foundation nor the university are involved in the criminal investigation, but the foundation has requested that an audit be completed.

"The first thing I asked for was that there be an audit to be sure there was no misuse or misappropriation of donor funds," said Mr. Pogue.