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Charges denied in pot sting
By Josh O'Gorman Herald Staff - Published: February 14, 2008
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man pleaded innocent on Tuesday in District Court to charges he sold marijuana to a police informant.
Nathan J. Ausikaitis, 33, pleaded innocent to one count of selling less than half an ounce of marijuana. If convicted, Ausikaitis could face up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
In an affidavit filed with the court, Detective Michael W. Plusch described his investigation as part of the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force.
Plusch said on Feb. 24, 2005, he was introduced to a criminal informant who said he or she could purchase illegal drugs from numerous people around Springfield. The informant was cooperating with police in exchange for consideration for pending criminal charges, Plusch said.
During the meeting, Plusch said, the informant said he or she could buy pot from Ausikaitis. In fact, the informant said he or she had sold pot to Ausikaitis in the past, Plusch said.
More than a year later, on June 26, 2006, Plusch received a call from his informant stating the informant had made arrangements to buy half an ounce of pot from Ausikaitis for $180.
At 6:36 p.m. Plusch met with his informant at the Go-Go gas station in Springfield. Plusch said he gave his informant $180 dollars in cash and an electronic listening device to monitor the conversation between the informant and Ausikaitis.
A search of the informant's person and vehicle did not turn up any pot, Plusch said.
Plush said he was told by the informant that Ausikaitis was living in an apartment above Penelope's restaurant and the two planned to meet in the parking lot near Chittenden Bank.
Plusch said he followed the informant to the parking lot and parked behind the informant's vehicle. Plusch said he watched Ausikaitis enter the informant's vehicle and exit five minutes later. Plusch said that as Ausikaitis and the informant sat in the vehicle he recorded the conversation using a digital recorder.
Plusch said he followed the informant back to the Go-Go gas station, where the informant turned over a bag of pot weighing 15.5 grams including the bag. The informant gave a statement describing the alleged transaction, Plusch said.
After pleading innocent, Ausikaitis was released without posting bail on the condition he not harass or have any contact with the informant and that he check in with the Rutland City Police Department every Friday by 4 p.m. http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802140392
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