Rose Rodriguez-Rabin, a former lecturer in UTSA’s writing program, was released from federal custody and pled not guilty to charges against her after allegedly taking part in the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine.

Rodriguez-Rabin and Brandon Sims, her reported roommate, were officially indicted on Jan. 7 and are facing three charges each: conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Sims faces one additional charge: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Rodriguez-Rabin was released on Dec. 20 under orders not to contact Sims or any UTSA students, according to her conditions of release set by U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower. Sims remains in custody. Both were scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 16, but Rodriguez-Rabin signed a waiver of personal appearance on Jan. 10, excusing herself from appearing for arraignment. She pled not guilty to her crimes.

A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sting operation on Dec. 7 showed that Rodriguez-Rabin was accused of manufacturing and distributing 1,000 counterfeit Adderall pills. A DEA Confidential Source (CS) arranged the meeting in Austin with Rodriguez-Rabin, who used the alias “Irene Adler” — a character from the Sherlock Holmes series. Rodriguez-Rabin sold the CS 1,000 Adderall pills, equalling 680.8 grams for $3,300. After the exchange, the CS identified “Irene Adler” as Rodriguez-Rabin. Task Force Officer Ronald Enriquez filed a federal criminal complaint on Dec. 10, charging her with manufacture-delivery of 680 grams or more of Adderall.

United States Magistrate Judge Mark Lane then approved the criminal complaint for the arrest of Rodriguez-Rabin. She was arrested on Dec. 11. Lane also approved two search warrants on locations allegedly connected with the manufacturing and distribution of the pills.

Surveillance began on Rodriguez-Rabin’s apartment on Dec. 11, and Task Force Officer Jeff Brennecke observed Sims leave the apartment and get into a white Ford Transit van. Special Agent Tim Davis followed Sims to a storage unit, where Sims was caught with an orange duffel bag holding a significant amount of Adderall pills and an industrial pill tableting mixer.

Special Agent John Schexnayder conducted a Marquis Reagent drug test on one of the tablets; the test came back positive for methamphetamine. Sims was taken into custody, and on Dec. 12, Schexnayder filed a criminal complaint, charging him with distribution of controlled substances containing a mixture or substance of methamphetamine.

No further dates have been set for Rodriguez-Rabin or Sims’ cases.

UTSA Chief Communications Officer Joe Izbrand gave a statement to The Paisano on Dec. 12 about the university’s response.

“Ms. Rodriguez-Rabin has been suspended from her duties as a lecturer in our writing program, effective immediately, pending further investigation,” Izbrand said. “The UTSA Police Department is working closely with federal law enforcement officials to determine if the allegations against her extend to any criminal activity on our campuses.”

Final grades for students in Rodriguez-Rabin’s fall classes were submitted on Dec. 18. The Writing Program has assigned other members of its faculty to teach Rodriguez-Rabin’s spring classes.