December 18, 2013 at 5:31 p.m.
Zadnik arrested on drug charges
Second man connected to meth investigation makes court appearance
Zadnik arrested on drug charges
A man connected to a downtown Rhinelander restaurant has been arrested on drug charges.
Randy C. Zadnik, 45, manager of Zadnik's Brick Oven Bistro on Brown Street, made his initial appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court on Monday. He is facing felony counts of possession of methamphetamine and possession of narcotic drugs as well as a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
A judge set a $1,500 cash bond Monday. Zadnik will be allowed to enter inpatient drug treatment if he is unable to post bond. An adjourned initial appearance is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 23.
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement began investigating Zadnik after a person close to him expressed concern about his welfare. The subsequent investigation on Dec. 14, which included interviews with several employees of the restaurant, uncovered the use of methamphetamine as well as narcotic drugs not prescribed to Zadnik, the complaint states. The complaint also indicates drug transactions may have occurred at the business.
The person who alerted law enforcement told investigators about an incident where she walked in on what she believed was a drug transaction occurring in the kitchen of the restaurant. She said Zadnik and two other individuals were in the kitchen and that Zadnik "appeared alarmed" when she entered. The complaint states that Zadnik quickly placed money that had been sitting on a table into his pocket. When confronted about it, Zadnik told the woman the money was for making change.
One of the other individuals in the kitchen was later identified as 29-year-old Pedro V. Jacinto who, on Tuesday, was charged with a felony count of manufacturing/delivery of amphetamine. According to the criminal complaint, several Zadnik's employees referred to Jacinto as the suspected source of the meth Zadnik is alleged to have used.
In an interview with an employee, Pedro Jacinto was referred to as being involved in the operation of Casa Mexicana, but the restaurant's owner Jaime Jacinto has said that is not the case. He said Pedro is a relative but has no affiliation with Casa Mexicana, which he has operated with his sister, Sophia, since 2011. Most recently Pedro was working at a restaurant in Eagle River, Jaime said.
"We've grown to love Rhinelander," Jaime said. "We work here. We live here. We hope this doesn't affect our business and hope to continue to serve the city of Rhinelander for many years to come."
"We love Rhinelander, have a good business and are a hard-working family," Sophia added. "I don't want people to get the wrong impression. (Pedro's alleged) actions have nothing to do with our business."
Pedro Jacinto is facing a class F felony charge that carries a maximum possible penalty of 12 1/2 years in the state prison system. He made his initial appearance in court on Thursday at which time he stated he is not affiliated with Casa Mexicana.
He made the statement after an assistant district attorney alluded to ownership interests in the restaurant during a bond argument. Judge Patrick O'Melia set bond at $1,000 cash with a condition that Jacinto not leave the state. He is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.
When interviewed by law enforcement, Zadnik also identified Jacinto as the source of the meth. He said he purchased one gram of the drug from Jacinto for $80 on the morning of Dec. 11 and that had been the only time he had purchased or used meth.
Zadnik admitted to law enforcement that drug paraphernalia found in the office of the restaurant belonged to him. According to the complaint, residue on the items of drug paraphernalia tested positive for methamphetamine.
The complaint states that Zadnik also admitted to abusing Adderall and that he had two different people he purchased from over the course of the last year. He said he would purchase 10 pills at a time two to three times a month. Police found Adderall and other prescription narcotics on Zadnik's person during a search on Dec. 14.
Zadnik's Brick Oven Bistro opened in January in the former Zippy's Pizza building on North Brown Street. Owner Becky Roesler said the business will remain in operation.
"We wish (Randy) well and hope he gets better," she said.
Kyle Rogers may be reached at [email protected].
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story reported Pedro Jacinto as being involved in the operation of Casa Mexicana. That is incorrect. Jaime and Sophia Jacinto are the operators of the restaurant. Pedro is a family member but he is not involved in the business. We apologize for the error.
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