Sun Feb 12 2012
by Bill Hammerstrom
Editor
The owner of a Hudson motel and one of its former residents have pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges and are awaiting a pretrial.
Kent resident Jitendra H. Kapasi, 53, owner of the Hilltop Motel on Ravenna Road, and Brian R. Gagat, 26, of Kent, were indicted by a Summit County grand jury July 8 on multiple felonies related to drug trafficking.
Both pleaded not guilty on July 14. A pretrial for both defendants is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. before Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Lynne Callahan.
Kapasi's attorney did not return a phone message. Attorney Donald Hicks, appointed to represent Gagat, referred to public records for information about the case.
The two were arrested May 7 at the motel following a three-month undercover investigation, according to Hudson officials. Gagat was living at the motel at the time, Hudson police said.
Kapasi was indicted July 8 on nine counts: seven counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, ranging from second-degree to fifth-degree felonies; one count of aggravated possession of drugs (Oxycodone), a second-degree felony; and one count of trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony. The other drugs mentioned in the indictment include Oxycodone, Percocet, Methadone and Vicodin.
The indictment includes a specification that states the motel is subject to criminal forfeiture because it was either obtained from proceeds from drug trafficking and/or "was used or intended to be used" for drug trafficking.
The motel is currently open and running, said Hudson Police Lt. Kevin May.
Gagat was indicted on two felonies: aggravated trafficking in drugs (Oxycodone), a second-degree felony, and trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony.
Kapasi was released on a $500,000 bond, forfeited his passport and was ordered not to leave the state, according to a court spokesperson.
Gagat was released on a $50,000 bond, according to court records.
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