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Hermann Alexander's Owner Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Charges
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Mitchell Grossjung, 25, of Pittsfield had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf on Tuesday to a single count of conspiracy to violate drug laws to wit: distribution of cocaine. He was released on personal recognizance.
Grossjung allegedly conspired with others to sell cocaine between Feb. 24 and April 3.
Grossjung already faces charges of keeping a place for registering bets for allegedly providing illegal poker machines to his customers. The Lyman Street bar was raided on the night of April 27 because Police believed the location was a "retail center of cocaine distribution."
However, the raid turned up little evidence except some corners of plastic bags that are used to hold cocaine. The gambling charges stemmed from that raid.
Since the raid, Police raided the homes of allegedly cocaine dealers they believed were operating out of the bar and that had turned up more than 160 grams of the drug.
The city's licensing board suspended the bar's liquor license for 60 days and later was lifted as the board hopes that Grossjung will sell the license. During multiple hearings, Police said drug charges were likely pending after testimony from employees arrested separately as part of the investigation indicates that illicit drug transactions took place at a rate as high as 50 customers per night.
Police have said Grossjung and other employees allowed the drug deals to happen, assisted in dealing and used the cocaine while working.
