A 21-year-old university student in Florida has been arrested on a felony charge after campus authorities discovered a semi-automatic rifle and a large cache of ammunition in his dormitory room.
Package Interception Triggers Urgent Probe
Constantine Demetriades, a senior at Rollins College in Winter Park, was taken into custody on Wednesday. The investigation began when college officials intercepted a suspicious parcel addressed directly to his dorm room. The package contained 1,500 rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to reports from WKMG News 6.
This discovery prompted an immediate response from Winter Park police, who conducted a search of the dorm room Demetriades shared with three other students. During the search, officers found an AR-15 style semi-automatic firearm stored in an unsecured black carrying case beneath the left side of his bed.
Extensive Cache of Tactical Gear Uncovered
The search of the room revealed a significant collection of tactical equipment. Police documented finding six magazines for the weapon, one of which was loaded. They also seized a tactical vest, a black security vest, several knives, ear protection, and a pistol storage case.
In a statement to Fox 35 News, Rollins College confirmed they had "quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement." The college emphasised that the student had been arrested and was not permitted on campus while disciplinary procedures were underway.
Student's Defence and Legal Consequences
According to charging documents, Demetriades told police he meant no harm. He stated that shooting was a hobby and pointed to his past work in armed security at several Orlando nightclubs. He allegedly admitted to understanding that weapons were banned on campus but claimed he did not believe possessing ammunition alone was illegal.
Demetriades explained to investigators that he had brought the firearm back from New Jersey after the Thanksgiving holiday, claiming he was rushed for a morning presentation when he returned to campus with it. He maintained he had a valid New Jersey concealed carry permit but was unaware it was not valid in Florida.
Despite his explanations, he was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property, a third-degree felony. He appeared in court on Thursday, where a judge granted him pretrial release without bond. The college's policy explicitly bans weapons on campus at all times, warning that violations can lead to immediate dismissal.
Fellow students expressed relief at the swift action. One student told WKMG, "I'm happy they found it... I fear for my safety if that wasn't resolved." Demetriades, a member of the university's rowing team, now faces potential suspension from athletics under the student-athlete handbook, which mandates suspension for any felony charge until the matter is resolved.
