Chair of Nebraska Democrats’ LGBT caucus accused of selling marijuana

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party’s LGBT caucus was arrested Tuesday on drug-related charges.

Michael Marcheck, who is the chair of the Nebraska Stonewall Democrats, is charged with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

Just before 1 p.m. on Nov. 11, a Lincoln Police officer saw a Crime Stoppers tip that said Marcheck was selling marijuana from his apartment.

According to the affidavit, the tip also had Marcheck’s number, and the officer texted him.

The police officer went by the name of Ronnie and had a short conversation with Marcheck arranging a drug deal, the affidavit says.

The next day, the officer and another investigator went to Marcheck’s apartment.

When he came out of the door, the officers said they were police and “gave loud verbal commands” to stop, the affidavit says.

But police said Marcheck tried to run back into his apartment and struggled with officers as they put him in handcuffs.

According to court documents, Marcheck left his door open, and officers were able to see marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the apartment.

Investigators said they collected 237 grams of marijuana, THC edibles, several water bongs and suspected psilocybin mushrooms.

Marcheck consented to a search of his cellphone but gave investigators the wrong passcode, court documents say.

On March 24, investigators received results from the state lab confirming that the mushrooms were psilocybin mushrooms, police said.

Just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Marcheck was arrested outside his apartment.

The 36-year-old is being held in the Lancaster County Jail on a $200,000 bond.

The Nebraska Democratic Party said in a statement that it is aware of the “serious charges” against Marcheck.