Genkin Pleads Not Guilty in Meth Lab Case

Grigory Genkin, the 29-year-old Somerville man , pleaded not guilty in Monday morning.

Genkin has been charged with manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine, committing a drug violation near a school zone and conspiracy to violate drug law. to Somerville when, on Nov. 7, , which lies on a quiet residential street not far from .

Appearing before Judge Maurice R. Flynn III, Genkin, free on bail, stood silently as his lawyer and prosecutors scheduled a future court date and made arguments about the amount of bail Genkin had posted. He appeared in court with his mother.

After the arraignment, Genkin had no comment to questions from Somerville Patch.

His lawyer, Sam Parkman, said he had not yet seen evidence in the case and "it's at the preliminary stages of the investigation." Parkman said he was "looking forward to investigating the case."

Genkin's bail had originally been set at $25,000, of which his mother had posted $2500, 10 percent, to free her son. 

During Monday's proceeding, Parkman successfully convinced Flynn to lower the bail to $10,000, which means Genkin's mother would have to post $1000. Flynn ordered a $1500 refund to Genkin's mother to make up the difference.

Parkman told the court his client has a "relatively insignificant [criminal] history" and "he did turn himself in." Genkin turned himself into police on Nov. 11.

Kristyn Dusel, assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, told the court "a significant amount of methamphetamine was found" at 19 Oxford St., and the search on Nov. 7 "was the result of an investigation that had been going on since August, I believe."

She said authorities who searched the residence found bottles that were nearly bursting with dangerous chemicals, that the building had to be evacuated—Genkin and his mother lived on the second and third floors; other tenants lived on the first floor—and that the building now faces the possibility of being condemned.

In lowering Genkin's bail from $25,000 to $10,000, Flynn said, "I don't believe he poses a significant flight risk."

Flynn scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Dec. 20 at 9 a.m.