Search continues for missing Cheltenham alumnus

The college student who may have taken a firearm from his parents' Cheltenham home before he went missing early Monday is now charged with possessing a firearm on his college campus in October, a school spokesman said Tuesday.

Jacob Marberger, 19, remained missing Tuesday as Washington College in Chestertown, Md., was again shut down. The school announced that police had filed a warrant for his arrest for an October gun incident. Marberger would have faced school disciplinary action this week.

He has been missing since he returned to his parents' home and took a case that may have contained a rifle. The incident led to a "lockout" at Cheltenham High School, his alma mater, and the closing of the college.

There are no known threats against anyone at either school, police said.

But Marberger, a sophomore, is now facing charges for possessing an antique pistol on campus last month, college spokesman Michael O'Connor said.

Marberger was intoxicated and "waved an unloaded pistol around," he said. "Apparently he also had ammunition in his room."

O'Connor said Marberger's parents took him home Oct. 29 after the incident was reported to campus safety. He was permitted to return after he was cleared in a risk assessment and was awaiting honor board proceedings.

Marberger is now charged in Kent County, Md., with possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, having a handgun on his person, possessing a firearm as a minor, and illegal possession of ammunition.

College officials said in an alert to students that state and federal agencies were conducting "a high-intensity search."

The college made arrangements for students to go home Tuesday because "the student and parent populations are deeply concerned," O'Connor said.

The Cheltenham School District advised parents Tuesday morning that classes would continue as scheduled and that the district "will continue to be cautious."

Marberger's relatives told police Monday that he had been "despondent over some recent issues at the college."

He is a member of the student government association and Phi Delta Theta fraternity, according to his Facebook page.

Police described Marberger as 130 pounds and 5-foot-4 with brown curly hair. He was last seen driving a dark-green 1997 Land Rover with Pennsylvania license plate JWY-5876.

lmccrystal@phillynews.com

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