Senior biopsychology and art studio major Slade Giles – convicted on April 30 of felony possession of less than one ounce of psilocybin, commonly known as hallucinogenic mushrooms, and a misdemeanor charge of possession of fireworks without a permit – will be sentenced June 27 in Santa Barbara Municipal Court.

On December 6, 2000, Santa Barbara County Sheriff officers served a search warrant to Giles’ apartment on the 6700 block of Del Playa Drive to investigate the rape allegation of a 19-year-old UCSB student. Officers originally searched the premises for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), known as a date rape drug, but instead found the mushrooms, fireworks and a plastic pipe the Sheriff’s Dept. Major Crimes Unit believed to be a pipe bomb. The bomb squad was called in to detonate the pipe, which was found to be empty.

Though the original allegation was withdrawn after the search, a number of other women filed sexual assault reports with the Isla Vista Foot Patrol. Sheriff’s Dept. Lt. Mike Burridge said Giles was not charged with rape because none of the alleged victims wanted to participate in the prosecution.

“None of the victims have followed through with charges or have taken part of the investigation,” he said.

Giles pleaded “no contest” to the felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor charge of possession of fireworks without a permit, but was not charged for the alleged sexual assaults because the Sheriff’s Dept. did not forward information about them, said Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss.

“He was never charged with sexual assaults – he was arrested for it. We have had no referral for [sexual assaults],” he said.

The sentencing was scheduled for June 6, but was postponed until June 27.

“The probation department had insufficient information to prepare a report recommending a proper sentencing to the court,” Auchincloss said.

The felony charge associated with the possession of the controlled substance was due to the circumstances in which the substances were found, Auchincloss said.

“[Psilocybin] is frequently charged as a felony. In this case, it was charged as a felony because there were some allegations of possible sale or furnishing involved,” he said.