An assistant vice president for student housing at Ohio State University has been placed on paid leave after his arrest Friday on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine.
Ronald T. Kochendoerfer, 41, of 167 Punta Alley, was arrested at his home by Franklin County deputies with less than one ounce of crystal meth.

Deputies went to Kochendoerfer's home in Italian Village as part of an investigation into drug smuggling at the Franklin County jail Downtown, said Chief Deputy Steve Martin.

Deputies at the jail had discovered heroin in a GQ magazine meant for James D. Wear, 20, of Union, Ky., Martin said. Wear, who is serving time for a theft conviction, knows Kochendoerfer. "We backtracked it to this guy," Martin said.

The methamphetamine, in a small bag, was discovered in a search of Kochendoerfer's home. He has not been charged in connection with the smuggling but is still under investigation. Others might be charged in the smuggling attempt as well, Martin said.

Kochendoerfer was released on his own recognizance yesterday by Municipal Court Judge Paul M. Herbert.