UPDATE: Luther College Administrator Faces Marijuana-Related Charges Following Traffic Stop in Winneshiek County

Act now—your donation to local news ensures a brighter, more informed tomorrow. DECORAH — Dr. Robert E. Clay, Luther College's Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, is facing allegations related to marijuana use and impaired driving following a traffic stop conducted by an Iowa State Trooper on June 11, 2025. According to a report filed by Iowa State Patrol, Clay was stopped while traveling 73 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone on Highway 52 near 218th Avenue in rural Winneshiek County. Upon initiating the stop and making contact with Clay, the trooper reported detecting the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Clay, who was the sole occupant, was identified by his Iowa driver's license. After being asked to step back to the patrol vehicle, the trooper noted that the odor of marijuana was still present and that Clay admitted to having recently smoked a marijuana blunt. According to the official criminal complaint obtained by DecorahNews.com, he also admitted to having marijuana inside a backpack in the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, the trooper located a blunt with the odor of burnt marijuana, a metal grinder containing raw marijuana, and a glass jar with a small amount of marijuana. A field test confirmed the presence of the substance. Clay consented to and performed a series of standard field sobriety tests, during which he reportedly showed several indicators of impairment. He then agreed to a full drug influence evaluation. Based on the evaluation, it was concluded that Clay was under the influence of cannabis and not in a safe condition to operate a motor vehicle. Clay also provided a urine sample for toxicology testing. As a result of the stop and subsequent investigation, Clay has been charged with: Operating While Under the Influence, 1st Offense — a serious misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana, 1st Offense — also a serious misdemeanor Dr. Clay has served as Luther College's Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer since 2022. In that role, he oversees the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support and advises students, faculty, and staff on diversity, equity and inclusion matters. Prior to his role at Luther, he served as executive director of the Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Programs at Governors State University in Illinois. On June 23, 2025, attorney Andrew J. Casper of Thompson Casper, P.L.L.C., entered a written appearance and plea of not guilty on behalf of Clay. Since the original publication of this article, Luther College addressed the charges, saying, "We are aware of an incident which resulted in the arrest of Robert Clay. Luther College will address the matter following our personnel policies. Per our policies, we do not discuss human resources matters." ** EDITOR'S NOTE: Our coverage of the charges filed against Dr. Robert E. Clay was delayed due to the way we receive arrest information and our editorial standards when reporting on public figures. Typically, our newsroom receives timely updates on local arrests from the Decorah Police Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office, with whom we maintain strong, collaborative relationships. However, this case originated with the Iowa State Patrol, which does not routinely share arrest information with local media. As a result, we did not learn of the incident through our usual channels. Additionally, because Dr. Clay serves in a high-profile role at Luther College, we took extra care to verify facts independently and to report the story with accuracy, balance and fairness. We also acknowledge the broader context in which this reporting takes place. Our newsroom has previously attempted to cover matters related to Luther College's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, but those requests have been met with limited engagement. In March, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump and statewide changes in DEI funding and policy, we reached out in hopes of building a stronger working relationship with Luther College's administration and DEI leadership as part of a news story. Those outreach efforts, unfortunately, did not result in improved communication or access.We remain committed to responsible, transparent journalism that serves our entire community.