The former owner of the once-popular Northampton nightclub Hinge pleaded guilty to a drug charge Monday in Manchester (Connecticut) Superior Court and faces five years in jail and a $25,000 fine, according to his attorney.
Aaron Kater, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and is expected to be sentenced Aug. 29. Last Nov. 18, Kater was a passenger in a vehicle driven by David Loomis, when it was stopped for allegedly speeding in South Windsor.
Authorities uncovered about 35 pounds of marijuana in two large speakers in the cargo area of the car, police said.
Hinge closed shortly after Kater’s arrest.
Prosecutors proposed what is known in Connecticut as a 7-5-3 arrangement — with seven years in prison suspended, five years of jail time and three years of probation, Kater’s attorney Jerome Paun, of Willimantic, Connecticut, said Tuesday.
Paun said he intends during the sentencing hearing Aug. 29 to ask the judge for a fully suspended sentence, which would mean no jail time.
“I would like people to understand that we all have our moments in life that we’re less than proud of,” Paun said in an interview. “This happens to be one of Aaron’s.”
Kater originally was charged with possession of more than four ounces of marijuana. possession with intent to sell, conspiracy to possess more than four ounces and conspiracy with intent to sell.
Loomis originally was charged with possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, possession with intent to sell, conspiracy to possess more than four ounces of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with intent to sell and speeding, police said.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com or 413-585-5234.