'HEAD SHOP' OWNER FACES DRUG COUNTS

A 34-year-old Meriden man who owns a downtown Ansonia "head shop" was being
held on $3.5 million bond Friday after being arraigned on 71 drug and sexual
assault charges.

Scott V. Adams, who owns The Looking Glass at 76 Main St., was arrested by
Meriden police Thursday night on a warrant.

Adams was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, narcotics
possession and distribution, and inducing a minor to sell prescription
drugs, said Meriden Police Sgt. Lenny Caponigro.

Adams failed to post bond and is in jail at the Connecticut Correctional
Center on Whalley Avenue in New Haven.

Assistant State's Attorney James R. Turcotte said Adams was arraigned in
Superior Court in Meriden and that his case is now being reviewed in New
Haven, where serious crimes are handled.

He said the judge sealed the arrest warrants and that he could not comment
further on the case, which was continued until Oct. 29.

Adams opened his shop in Ansonia for only one day this week and may be in
jeopardy of being evicted from the building, which is owned by the Ansonia
Housing Authority.

The shop contains rolling papers often used for rolling marijuana
cigarettes, bongs or large water pipes, candles and T-shirts, and is slated
to offer body piercing.

Adams has also operated The Looking Glass shop in Meriden for the past five
years.

Harish Krishnarao, assistant director of the Ansonia Housing Authority, said
his agency is aware of the charges against Adams and its legal staff is
reviewing his lease.

"Because of these charges we may not be renting to him," Krishnarao said.

Alderman Joseph Cassetti, R-2, whose district encompasses the downtown, said
he would encourage the AHA to break its lease with Adams.

"He (Adams) should be denied the opportunity to do business in Ansonia,
especially if he's conducting a drug business somewhere else," he said.

Alderman Peter Danielczuk, D-1, said he opposed the shop in July when Adams
first announced he would open it, because he feared items like rolling
papers could lead to drug use. "It looks like my fears came to bear fruit,"
he said.

Downtown merchants who had heard about Adams' arrest said they were shocked
because he seemed like a nice guy who was clean-cut looking.

"He said the store was going to be very good for Ansonia and there would be
a lot of traffic downtown," said John Antonucci, who owns the Maid Brigade
on Main Street. "I had no idea he meant drug traffic."