BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - A drug-trafficking investigation into a corner grocery store led to the arrest Friday of one-time city commission candidate and convicted murderer Gary Parrott.

A Kenton County grand jury indicted Mr. Parrott - who was convicted in the 1981 killing of his ex-girlfriend - on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance. Also indicted Friday were his brother, James Parrott, and James' girlfriend, Jacqueline Hamilton.

The trio is accused of selling Dilaudid, a prescription painkiller, from Mac's Food Market, the store at Sixth and Russell streets in Covington that James Parrott ran.

The Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, federal agents, and police departments from Campbell, Kenton and Boone counties and Covington have taken part in the nine-week-old investigation.

Gary Parrott, 51, is charged with two counts of trafficking. James Parrott, 52, owns the store and is charged with eight counts. Ms. Hamilton, 32, is charged with one count. Bond is set at $250,000 each for both Parrott brothers. The charges carry a potential jail term of five to 10 years each.

Gary Parrott, a former Covington City Commission candidate, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 1981 strangulation and knifing of his former lover, Judith Dennis. She threatened to file a paternity suit against him. Prosecutors said he killed her to protect his image in the commission race.

It was not immediately clear Friday night when Mr. Parrott had been released from prison. He was scheduled for release last year.

James Parrott pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence in the case: a pocket knife allegedly used to decapitate the body. His one- year sentence was probated.

The drug investigation resulted in about 12 purchases totaling 35 4-milligram Dilaudid tablets at $35 per tablet. Authorities believe the drug-selling operation profited $17 on each tablet sold.

Some were purchased with food stamps, strike force director James Daley said.

Police believe James Parrott has been in the business of selling the drug tablets since 1980.

The corner market building also has about 14 apartments. Police searched the apartments, the store and two vehicles owned by the brothers on Friday.

Dilaudid is similar to morphine but between six and eight times more potent. Side effects can be life threatening.