Professor Doubled as Drug Kingpin, Cops Say

Sept. 3, 2011— -- A California university professor is on the run following a raid on his home that allegedly turned up more than a pound of methamphetamine, unregistered rifles and handguns, body armor, leather biker vests and evidence of his involvement with a motorcycle gang, police said.

Steve Kinzey, who has been an associate professor of kinesiology at California State University, San Bernardino for nearly 10 years, is suspected of leading a motorcycle gang and methamphetamine drug ring in southern California.

Law enforcement officials said they believe he is the president of the local chaper of the Devils Diciples motorcycle club, which has been the target of a six-month narcotics and weapons trafficking investigation.

San Bernardino Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said investigators determined Kinzey and his girlfriend, Holly Robinson, were allegedly buying large amounts of methamphetamine and distributing it to at least six other people throughout San Bernardino county. Police intercepted a package of methamphetamine allegedly being distributed to his house, and on Aug. 26 raided his home. Upon discovering drugs and illegal weapons in his home, police issued a fugitive arrest warrant for Kinzey, who was on the run.

The investigation into Kinzey began when the San Bernardino Gang Impact team started looking at the Devils Diciples motorcycle gang, and Kinzey's name came up in connection with illegal activity.

According to Bachman, during the probe, police turned up some surprising information on the alleged drug kingpin: he was a well-liked university professor.

One of Kinzey's students, Drew Peterson told ABC station KABC-TV in Los Angeles that he can't believe his professor could be the leader of an outlaw motorcycle gang, but he said Kinzey "would talk about his biker buddies, or his brothers, and say that they had each others' backs and were basically family."

University president Albert Karnig said the school would assist the sheriff's department in the investigation.

"To have an associate professor who is a member of the Devils Diciples and allegedly dealing methamphetamine is quite alarming. I mean, it's unusual to say the least," San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops said

The fall quarter at CSU-San Bernardino begins Sept. 14, and according to the school website Kinzey was set to return to campus and be an adviser to several students in the Department of Kinesiology this fall.

Seven other people were arrested on drug-related charges. But Bachman said "the investigation is ongoing, and Kinzey is still a fugitive."