Candidate’s son exonerated

PALMER — Prosecutors have dropped charges leveled against the son of a school board member and candidate for state house.

Robin Gattis, 18, son of Lynn Gattis, was charged with drug misconduct after Alaska State Troopers claimed to have intercepted a package containing the popular club drug MDMA — also known as ecstasy — en route to his Wasilla-area home.

Gattis told troopers at the time that he thought he’d been buying a synthetic version of the drug, dubbed MDMC, which has not been outlawed in many states including Alaska.

Also charged in the case was Bren Marx. Charges were dropped in both cases May 25, according to court records.

Log notes from earlier in the case show Gattis’ attorney, Zachary Renfro, arguing for leniency since Gattis was able to buy the drugs online using his credit card.

Assistant district attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard said the charges were dropped after crime lab analysis determined the package contained a form of bath salts that is still legal in Alaska.

“The Legislature hasn’t been able to keep track of these synthetic drugs,” she said.