District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Brewer Woman Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Crack Trafficking and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Lynda Johnson, 30, of Brewer, Maine, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to possession with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and heroin and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
According to court records, on April 18, 2018, the defendant was found in possession of crack and heroin, a .380 caliber pistol and about $6,300 in cash following a car stop by police. An ensuing search of her Brewer residence let to the seizure of a .22 caliber derringer, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. A second search of her vehicle led to the seizure of crack and heroin that had not been discovered during the initial search of the vehicle. The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as the result of felony drug and aggravated assault convictions in Maine.
On the drug charge, the defendant faces between 10 years and life, an $8,000,000 fine, and between eight years and life on supervised release. On the gun charge, the defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to a three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the prosecution. This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Florida Woman Sentenced to Two Years of Probation for Credit Card Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Zulairam Ramos, 31, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to two years of probation with 120 hours of community service for access device fraud and conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Ramos pleaded guilty on January 3.
Court records show that between October 2016 and March 2017, Ramos and three co-defendants used stolen credit and debit card numbers belonging to Maine residents to fraudulently purchase merchandise and gift cards at Maine stores.
Ramos’s co-defendants were sentenced on September 5. Alejandro Caal was sentenced to 10 months in prison, Adrian Teruel was sentenced to 12 months, and Olga Valido was sentenced to nine months. The defendants were also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon their release from prison.
The case was investigated by the Falmouth, Augusta, Scarborough, South Portland and Winthrop Police Departments, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Secret Service.
New York Woman Sentenced to 2½ Years for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Melina Snead, a/k/a “Lady,” 25, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 2½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” The defendant pled guilty on May 24, 2018.
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Snead conspired with others to acquire heroin and crack in Rochester and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant sold the drugs from several “trap houses” in Central Maine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Madawaska Man Sentenced to 1½ Years for Illegally Importing Methylphenidate and AlprazolamRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Tristan Nelson, 39, of Madawaska, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 1½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for illegally importing methylphenidate, which is commonly sold under the trade name Ritalin, and alprazolam, which is commonly sold under the trade name Xanax. The defendant pled guilty on March 7, 2018.
According to court records, on February 22, 2017, a mail package from the Philippines addressed to the defendant arrived at the Madawaska post office. The package contained about 950 methylphenidate pills and about 450 alprazolam pills. The defendant came to the post office and accepted the package. The defendant later admitted to agents that he purchased the pills online, that he knew the pills were shipped to him from outside of the United States, and that he intended to distribute some of the pills.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Bangor Woman Sentenced to 1½ Years for Maintaining a Drug-Involved PremisesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Sherri Chen, 55, of Hampden, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 1½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug-involved premises.
According to court records, between January 2016 and February 2017, Chen allowed her residence on the Main Road in Hampden to be used to distribute and use heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
Judge Woodcock described the defendant’s decision to provide a “safe haven” for drug dealers from Connecticut, as “deplorable.” Chen received drugs for allowing her residence to be used in this manner.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Gardiner Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Richard Bailey, 67, of Gardiner, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 25 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for production and possession of child pornography. The defendant pled guilty to these charges on June 18, 2018.
According to court records, law enforcement agents received information that the defendant was uploading images of child pornography to various websites. Based on this information, they obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s home in Gardiner. During the execution of the search warrant, the defendant admitted that agents would find multiple images of child pornography involving underage boys on his electronic devices. The investigation revealed that the defendant produced child pornography by encouraging adults in the Philippines during online chats to engage in sexual activity with children that was videotaped, photographed, and disseminated in real time over the internet. A forensic examination of the defendant’s electronic devices revealed multiple images and videos of child pornography including images obtained from the Philippine sex shows.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
New York Man Sentenced to 44 months for Crack Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Cuwan Merritt, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby to 44 months in prison for crack cocaine trafficking. Merritt was convicted following a two-day jury trial in July 2018.
On May 12, 2017, Merritt and Michael Artis travelled from Boston intending to sell crack in Lewiston. Law enforcement agents intercepted the vehicle in which they were traveling when they reached Auburn. A police dog alerted to the presence of narcotics on both men. Agents seized 57 pre-packaged .5g bags of crack from Artis and later seized crack that Merritt had secreted in his body.
Artis pled guilty to the same charge on June 28, 2018 and awaits sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration in conjunction with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Auburn and Lewiston Police Departments and the Maine State Police.
Rochester, New York Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison on Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Derrius Smalls, 20, of Rochester, New York was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine to three years in prison and a three year term of supervised release, including a six month term of community confinement, following his conviction for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.
According to court records, on March 9, 2017, Smalls ran from a vehicle carrying 550 bags of heroin and 399 bags of crack cocaine when the vehicle he was in was stopped by state and federal agents in Scarborough, Maine. Smalls managed to hide the drugs and avoid arrest that night. Smalls was transporting the drugs for Darrell “Coast” Newton and intended to deliver them to an individual in Maine. The following day, a Scarborough Police Department K-9 located the drugs.
Smalls was subsequently indicted together with Newton and fourteen other defendants from Rochester, New York and Central Maine. All defendants have entered pleas of guilty.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance provided by the Scarborough Police Department and the Maine State Police.
New York Man Sentenced to More Than 13 Years on Heroin and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Reginald McBride, 41, of New York, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 13 years and 4 months in jail and 5 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing heroin with the intent to distribute it, and using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking offense. The charges arose out of a June 26, 2016 shooting at the Walmart in Augusta, Maine. The defendant was convicted of these charges on March 14, 2018 after a three-day jury trial.
The evidence at trial revealed that on June 26, 2016, the defendant drove a vehicle to the Augusta Walmart carrying over 40 grams of heroin and a 9-mm pistol. When the defendant got to the Walmart, he engaged in a firefight with another individual. After the shooting, the defendant fled in his vehicle. Officers located the defendant and recovered the heroin. Officers later seized a loaded revolver, two more firearms, ammunition, a speed loader, and a scope from the vehicle.
Trial evidence revealed that the defendant used numerous aliases including “Kweasia McBride,” “Reggie McBride,” “Reginald Washington,” “Benjamin McBride,” “John Doe,” and “Sunny.” The defendant had prior felony convictions from Virginia and New York under a combination of these aliases.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Augusta Police Department; the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory; and the Bangor and Hallowell Police Departments.
Brewer Man Pleads Guilty to Charge of Lying to Federal Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Floyd Chase, 48, of Brewer, Maine, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee.
According to court records, in February 2018, the Brewer Police Department seized a .380 caliber handgun while executing a narcotics trafficking search warrant in Brewer. A trace of the firearm revealed that it had been purchased about ten days earlier at an area firearms dealer. Further investigation revealed that the defendant, and others came up with a plan for one of them to falsely claim that she was buying the gun for herself, when in fact, the actual buyer was another individual. The defendant accompanied the two others to the firearms dealer and then directed the woman to purchase the firearm.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin, Fentanyl and Crack Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Frankie Dejesus, 28, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Dejesus conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it in Central Maine. The defendant was sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Pakistani Man Sentenced to Eight Months for Violating Terms of Release Under SupervisionRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Zafar Iqbal-Khan, 46, previously of Pakistan, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison to eight months in prison for failure to comply with the terms of release under supervision. The defendant pled guilty on June 8, 2018.
According to court records, in 1999, Khan, a citizen of Pakistan, entered the United States as a non-immigrant visitor. He was required to depart by February 2000, but never did. In September 2005, he was ordered removed by an immigration judge. In December 2006, January 2009, and June 2015, he was released from immigration custody after executing Orders of Supervision that required him to not commit any crimes. On February 23, 2018, Khan pled guilty in a Maine district court to operating under the influence, operating a vehicle without a license, failure to appear in court, and forgery.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Caribou Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Stephen G. Olivo, 58, formerly of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, and most recently of Caribou, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to failing to register as a sex offender.
Court records reveal that on about October 2, 1990, the defendant was convicted of aggravated felonious sexual assault in Hillsborough County that required him to register as a sex offender for life. In late 2014 or early 2015, the defendant traveled from Georgia to Maine and lived and worked in Aroostook County but failed to inform the sex offender registry in New Hampshire that he had left New Hampshire. He also never registered in Maine, as required. He was arrested in September 2018.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
New Zealand Man Sentenced to Five Years for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Bobby Mataara Owens, 41, of Turangi, New Zealand, was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to five years in prison and by ten years of supervised release for transporting child pornography. Owens pleaded guilty on September 1, 2017.
According to court records, in December 2016, a federal agent in Maine was investigating the sharing of child pornography over the internet. The agent chatted online with Owens, who sent the agent several images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further investigation revealed that Owens was using an IP address assigned to a residence in Valley Village, California. A federal search warrant was obtained for the residence and executed later the same day. Owens was present at the residence, and admitted to investigators that he had sent the images to the agent earlier in the day.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and the Los Angeles, California Police Department. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
German Shipping Operator Sentenced to Pay $3.2 Million for Obstruction of Justice and Falsifying Official Logs to Hide Deliberate Oil PollutionRead the Press Release
A German shipping company, MST Mineralien Schiffahrt Spedition und Transport GmbH (MST), pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in Portland, Maine, for obstruction of justice and for maintaining false official records to conceal deliberate pollution from one of its ships, the M/V Marguerita, announced Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey B. Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank for the District of Maine.
MST pleaded guilty today to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and one count of obstruction of justice for using falsified log books to hide intentional discharges of oily bilge waste occurring over a nine-month period during which the ship regularly made port calls in Portland, Maine. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced the company pursuant to a plea agreement and ordered it to pay a $3.2 million criminal fine and serve a four-year term of probation during which vessels operated by the company will be required to implement an environmental compliance plan, including inspections by an independent auditor.
“Today’s action demonstrates that the Coast Guard and the Justice Department will not stand by while foreign vessels intentionally pollute our oceans and then try to cover up their criminal acts by lying to the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark. “This company is a repeat offender, which makes plain that it has shown contempt for the rule of law. I applaud the investigators and prosecutors who obtained this result.”
MST, a vessel operator based in Bavaria, Germany, was convicted of similar environmental crimes in the District of Minnesota in 2016. That federal case involved the falsification of the oil record book for the M/V Cornelia, which concealed deliberate discharges of oil-contaminated bilge waste, including discharges into the Great Lakes. MST was on probation in the District of Minnesota when it committed the crimes charged in Maine.
According to documents filed in court, MST discharged oily bilge waste from the Marguerita through the use of a so-called “magic pipe” that bypasses required pollution prevention equipment. The discharges violated MARPOL, an international treaty and were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book, a required ship log regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard to assure compliance.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England which conducted the inspection of the ship. The prosecution was handled by Trial Attorney John Cashman and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard Udell of the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Tony Leonard, a/k/a “Tom Cat,” 49, of Lewiston, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, on August 17, 2017, the Lewiston Police Department executed a search warrant at Leonard’s Lewiston residence and seized a Glock .40 caliber handgun and a loaded magazine concealed inside of his jacket located in a bedroom. Leonard was prohibited from possessing the handgun because of prior felony convictions for drug trafficking, forgery, and aggravated assault.
The defendant faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Lewiston Police Department, with assistance provided by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Canadian Man Sentenced to Time Served for Unlawfully Entering United StatesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Simon Grenier, 51, of Saint Zacharie, Quebec, Canada was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by U.S. Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison to time served (15 days) for illegally entering into the United States.
According to court records, on October 16, 2018, a Border Patrol Agent and a Maine Game Warden located the defendant in Township 5, Range 20 near the border by following his fresh boot tracks from the border. The defendant entered the United States illegally to hunt moose.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Maine Warden Service.
Pittsfield Man Sentenced to Three Years on Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Steven P. Springer II, 26, of Pittsfield, Maine, was sentenced today by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for providing false information during the purchase of firearms. Springer pleaded guilty on May 29, 2018.
According to court records, on February 22, 2015, Springer purchased a Kel-Tec PF9 semi-automatic pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer. In connection with the purchase, Springer completed a Firearms Transaction Record form in which he falsely reported that he was the actual purchaser of the firearm. On February 24, 2015, Springer purchased two Kel-Tec P11 pistols from another federally licensed dealer, again falsely reporting on the form that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms. On both occasions, Springer was buying the firearms for another individual who was prohibited from purchasing them.
The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Federal and State Officials and Maine ACLU Attorney Available to Field Election Fraud and Voting Rights ClaimsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced today that his office, in cooperation with Maine State officials, will participate in the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018 general elections. The program is designed to handle complaints in the District of Maine of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington and the State of Maine Attorney General’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) John G. Osborn and Andrew McCormack have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Maine. Maine Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Phyllis Gardiner and Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn will coordinate election oversight for the State of Maine. Attorney Zachary Heiden of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maine will also be available to assist anyone who experiences difficulty in exercising their right to vote.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
Voting is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to vote exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, U.S. Attorney Frank stated that AUSAs/DEOs Osborn and McCormack will be on duty in his office while the polls are open. They can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (207) 771-3214 (AUSA Osborn) and (207) 262-4615 (AUSA McCormack).
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (207) 774-9322.
AAG Phyllis Gardiner may be contacted at the Attorney General’s Office by calling: (207) 626-8830. Deputy Secretary of State Flynn can be reached at (207) 624-7650. Attorney Zachary Heiden of the ACLU of Maine will be available at (207) 650-9535.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.
U.S. Attorney Frank said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”
Bronx, New York Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that ANDRE FIELDS a/k/a “Coop,” a/k/a “Pops,” a/k/a “Boss,” a/k/a “Unc,” 52, of Bronx, New York, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine to conspiracy to distribute in excess of one kilogram of heroin and in excess of 280 grams of cocaine base (“crack”). The charge carries a ten-year mandatory minimum prison term and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release.
According to court records, between January 2015 and December 2017 Fields conspired with others to distribute in excess of one kilogram of heroin and in excess of 280 grams of cocaine base in central Maine. Fields had access to out-of-state sources for the drugs. Members of the conspiracy, including the defendant, would transport the drugs back to Maine. Once here, the defendant and others working at his direction would weigh out and repackage the drugs that were then distributed to central Maine area drug dealers and addicts for further distribution and use. The defendant and others would distribute the drugs from central Maine area residences and hotel rooms where he and others would stay.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance provided by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, the Augusta Police Department, and the Waterville Police Department. This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New York Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Diana Davis, a/k/a “Lil C,” 30, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Davis conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it in Central Maine. The defendant and others were sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Skowhegan Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Christopher Kruse, 50, of Skowhegan, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to receiving and possessing child pornography.
According to court records, in November 2017, Kruse used the internet to receive several videos depicting child pornography, some depicting children under 12 years old. He added these videos to a collection of child pornography he had kept on his personal computer since 2015. The collection was discovered on November 28, 2017 when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Kruse’s home.
Kruse faces between five to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and between five years and life on supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Bangor and Skowhegan Police Departments. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Filipino Woman Sentenced to Time Served for Passport FraudRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Emelita Ignacio Arindela, a/k/a “Esperanza Ignacio Arindela,” “Esperanza Hooper,” “Emily I. Arindela,” and “Emily Ignacio Arindela,” 43, of Mount Desert Island, Maine, and previously of the Philippines, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to time served (10 days) and one year of supervised release for passport fraud. Arindela pleaded guilty on April 12, 2018.
According to court records, in 2000, the defendant assumed the name and date of birth of her older sister in order to marry a U.S. citizen in the City of Valenzuela, Philippines. In 2002, she entered the United States under her sister’s identity. In 2009, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen using her sister’s identity. Later that year, she legally changed her name to Emily I. Arindela. In 2010, she applied for a U.S. passport using her new name and her sister’s date of birth.
The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. Department of State.
Department of Justice and Department of Interior Team up for Major Expansion of Tribal Access to National Crime Information DatabasesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) in announcing a dramatic expansion of the federal government’s key program that provides tribes with access to national crime information databases, DOJ’s Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP). The expansion includes the Penobscot Nation.
“I am pleased that the Penobscot Nation will have access to the FBI’s national crime databases through TAP,” said U.S. Attorney Frank. “The ability to access and exchange crime information is extremely valuable. It will enable tribal government to better investigate criminal activity, police their community, and keep their community safe.”
“Access to TAP-FULL, will equip the Penobscot Nation Law Enforcement Program with the means to effectively collaborate with all local and state law enforcement agencies, by informing them of persons that are needing protection orders served upon them, getting an accurate account to other agencies of the persons that have been arrested for criminal offenses with the tribe’s jurisdiction and that are out on bail with restrictions and those persons adjudicated and have certain probation conditions they have to abide by,” said Department of Public Safety Chief Robert Bryant. “TAP will also allow us to better protect victims of domestic violence by having orders of abuse or harassment entered into National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in a timely manner. The result is a safer community.”
By the end of 2019, DOJ will expand the number of TAP participating tribes by more than 50 percent—from 47 tribes to 72. DOI will fund the instillation of TAP Kiosks at three locations where the BIA-Office of Indian Services (BIA-OIS) deliver direct service social services by the end of 2019 and DOI aims to expand TAP access at all 28 BIA-Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) operated law enforcement agencies and detention service centers. These BIA locations will provide some degree of access to TAP for services delivered to more than 50 tribal communities that currently do not have any direct access.
“Access to information is vital to effective law enforcement,” said Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Chairman of the Attorney General’s Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS). “TAP will enhance and improve the ability of tribal law enforcement officers to serve their communities. The Native American Issues Subcommittee is proud to support the continued expansion of this tool throughout Indian Country.”
The NAIS is comprised of U.S. Attorneys with Indian Country in their federal districts. They advise the Attorney General regarding the development and implementation of policies pertaining to justice in Indian Country. The NAIS identified “increased law enforcement resources” as one of four priority areas to improve justice services in Indian Country. Support for and increased dissemination of the TAP was unanimously supported by the U.S. Attorneys at a recent NAIS meeting in Indian Country in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
TAP, offered in two versions, TAP-FULL and TAP-LIGHT, allows tribes to more effectively serve and protect their communities by fostering the exchange of critical data through several national databases through the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Systems network, including the NCIC, Next Generation Identification, National Data Exchange, National Instant Criminal Background Check System, Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal as well as other national systems such as the International Justice and Public Safety Network. TAP enhances tribal efforts to register sex offenders pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act; have orders of protection enforced nationwide; protect children; keep firearms away from persons who are disqualified from receiving them; improve the safety of public housing, and allow tribes to enter their arrests and convictions into national databases.
TAP-FULL consists of a kiosk workstation that provide access to national systems and is capable of processing finger and palm prints, as well as taking mugshots and submitting records to national databases. TAP-LIGHT is software for criminal agencies that include police departments, prosecutors, criminal courts, jails, and probation departments. Both versions provide federally recognized tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for both civil and criminal purpose. TAP is currently available to 47 tribes nationwide with over 220 tribal criminal justice and civil agencies participating.
For more information on TAP, including a list and map of present TAP-FULL and TAP-LIGHT tribes, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap
For more information about the DOJ’s work on tribal justice and public safety issues, visit: www.justice.gov/tribal.
Canadian Man Sentenced to 30 Days for Importing Illegally-Harvested Moose Antlers and HideRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Daniel F. Dyer, 57, of Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 30 days in prison for importing illegally-taken moose antlers and a moose hide. He was also fined $5,000. He pled guilty on May 17, 2018.
According to court records, on September 28, 2013, Dyer, a Canadian outfitter and guide, arranged for Richard Eaton, a West Virginia resident, to unlawfully harvest a moose in New Brunswick using a license issued to a New Brunswick resident. Dyer later brought the hide and antlers of the moose through Maine. Dyer delivered the hide to a taxidermist in Pennsylvania and the antlers to Eaton in West Virginia. In 2014, Eaton was convicted in federal court of receiving the illegally-taken moose.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Levy found that Dyer had obstructed justice by instructing Eaton to falsely claim that another Canadian guide had shot the moose and said the cover-up was as bad as, or worse than, the crime itself.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Enforcement Division of Environment Canada (New Brunswick).
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin, Fentanyl and Crack Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jamie Betances, a/k/a “Booger,” “Booga,” Buga,” “Ice,” 30, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Betances conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it in Central Maine. The defendant was sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Two Years for Conspiracy to Steal Mail and Cash Counterfeit ChecksRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Nicholas Veelenturf, 31, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge George Z. Singal to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring with others to steal checks from the mail in Maine and to cash counterfeit versions of those checks at banks in Massachusetts. He was also ordered to pay $15,710.33 in restitution. Veelenturf pled guilty on June 19, 2018.
According to court records, in September 2016, two business checks were stolen from the mail in Scarborough, Maine. The intended recipients of these checks were businesses located in an industrial park in Scarborough. About two weeks later, the defendant and another person cashed or attempted to cash counterfeit versions of the two checks at several TD Bank branch locations in Massachusetts. The routing and account numbers for each business had been printed on different check stock, the check amounts had been significantly increased, and the names of the payees had been altered to either the defendant’s or the other person’s name.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to over 10 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Wender Santos, a/k/a “Carlos,” 24, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 130 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl, and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The defendant pled guilty on April 3.
Court records reveal that in 2016, Santos conspired with Rafael Buli and others to distribute fentanyl in the Lawrence area. Maine drug customers contacted Santos, who they knew only as “Carlos,” to place orders for distributable quantities of fentanyl. Santos then directed his drug couriers, including Buli, to meet with his Maine customers to consummate the drug transactions. On September 1, 2016, federal and state agents stopped a Maine customer after Santos and Buli sold the customer about 400 grams of fentanyl. The agents located the fentanyl inside a “trap” compartment of a vehicle that Santos furnished to the customer. Agents identified Santos, learned that he had an apartment in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, searched the apartment on December 12, 2016 pursuant to a warrant, and seized about $14,000, cell phones and a money counter.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine State Police and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Sidney Man Sentenced to 3½ Years for Heroin and Crack Trafficking Conspiracy and Maintaining a Drug-Involved PremisesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Derek Blake, 32, of Sidney, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., to 3½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Blake conspired with others to acquire heroin and crack in Rochester, New York and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant assisted Rochester dealers in distributing the drugs from his Sidney residence, served as a “middle-man” for drugs deals, introduced dealers to drug customers in Central Maine and provided transportation for the dealers and their drugs.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Sidney Man Sentenced to 3½ Years for Heroin and Crack Trafficking Conspiracy and Maintaining a Drug-Involved PremisesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Derek Blake, 32, of Sidney, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., to 3½ years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Blake conspired with others to acquire heroin and crack in Rochester, New York and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant assisted Rochester dealers in distributing the drugs from his Sidney residence, served as a “middle-man” for drugs deals, introduced dealers to drug customers in Central Maine and provided transportation for the dealers and their drugs.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Newport Man Sentenced to over 13 Years for Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jamie Akerson, 57, of Newport, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 160 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin. The defendant pled guilty on April 14, 2017.
According to court records, between May 2015 and January 2016, Akerson conspired with Todd Shorey and others to acquire large quantities of heroin on a weekly basis from an out-of-state supplier and to have it distributed by others throughout Central Maine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Hermon Woman Pleads Guilty to Heroin, Fentanyl and Crack Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Erica Oliveira, 29, of Hermon, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between January 2016 and February 2017, Oliveira conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Waterbury, Connecticut and distribute it in Penobscot County. The defendant allowed her Hermon residence to be used to distribute heroin and facilitated the drug dealing activities of others.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Damariscotta Man Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Justin Woods, 32, of Damariscotta, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to knowingly and intentionally assaulting four people with a pistol.
According to court records, on August 28, 2017, the defendant, then a U.S. Navy contract employee participating in the training of active duty Navy personnel in Rangeley, Maine, threatened four Navy instructors by pointing a pistol at them following a social gathering.
The defendant faces up to six months in prison, a $5,000 fine and one year of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Rhode Island Man Charged with Illegal Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Salvador Rodrigues, 21, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was charged by criminal complaint in U.S. District Court with being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to the criminal complaint, between May 12 and August 23, the defendant illegally possessed five pistols. He was prohibited from possessing them because on May 4, he was convicted in Rhode Island of felony possession of a pistol without a license and a felony drug offense.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pawtucket Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin, Crack and Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Darrell Newton, a/k/a “Coast,” a/k/a “D-Coast,” 39, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute in excess of a kilogram of heroin, more than 280 grams of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and fentanyl.
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Newton ran a drug trafficking organization that obtained, heroin, crack and fentanyl in Rochester and distributed the drugs in Central Maine. Rochester conspirators were recruited and sent to Central Maine by the defendant to sell the drugs. Those conspirators stayed with Central Maine residents who, in exchange for crack and heroin, allowed the drugs to be sold from their residences and assisted in distributing, storing and transporting the drugs.
The defendant faces between 20 years and life in prison, a $20,000,000 fine, and between 10 years and life on supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department, and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank Announces Progress in Making our Communities Safer through Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: One year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Throughout the past year, we have partnered with all levels of law enforcement, local organizations, and members of the community to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
“PSN is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs. I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face. Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”
U.S. Attorney Frank said, “Since 2002, PSN Maine has been a highly effective, anti-violence initiative through which my office has fostered significant partnerships with state and local law enforcement and community stakeholders.” As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalization of the PSN program, here are some highlights of our PSN efforts over the past year.
Grant Award
The Bureau of Justice Assistance recently announced that a grant award of about $126,800 was made to the Maine Department of Public Safety to fund programs within the PSN Maine’s mission. A request for proposals is expected to be made this fall. Selected grantees will receive funding to support two to three year grants.
Community Partnerships
With the reinvigoration of PSN Maine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office formalized a strong partnership with state prosecutors’ offices and local law enforcement through the creation of a liaison program. Each district attorney’s office in Maine has been assigned a federal prosecutor to serve as a liaison for purposes of case referral and collaboration on violent crime reduction strategies.
Enforcement Actions
- On May 16, 2018, Erick Adams, 40 of Taftville, Connecticut was sentenced to 25 years in prison for distributing crack, cocaine and heroin, and being an armed career criminal in possession of firearms. The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the Biddeford Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/connecticut-man-sentenced-25-years-drug-conspiracy-and-illegal-possession-firearms
- On April 26, 2018, Michael Gaudette, 36, of Hiram, Maine was sentenced 100 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On May 10, 2017, the Maine State Police seized from Gaudette three assault rifles, a shotgun and a handgun, three of which were loaded. Gaudette had prior felony convictions for attempted robbery, burglary, escape, possession of narcotics and conspiring to deliver articles to prisoners. The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/hiram-man-sentenced-more-eight-years-being-felon-possession-firearms
- On January 18, 2018, Jonathan Gardiner, 31, of Glenburn, Maine was sentenced to 100 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. On November 13, 2014, Penobscot County Sherriff’s Office deputies went to Gardiner’s Glenburn residence in response to the discharge of a firearm. Gardiner fled from the deputies and disposed of a 9 mm pistol. Deputies seized a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun hidden above Gardiner’s bedroom. Gardiner had prior felony convictions for burglary, aggravated assault, theft by unlawful use of property and drug trafficking. The investigation was conducted by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, and the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory. Read more: https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/glenburn-man-sentenced-100-months-prison-unlawfully-possessing-firearms
Improvements to Community Safety
- The FBI’s official crime data for 2017 reflects that, after two consecutive, historic increases in violent crime, in the first year of the Trump Administration the nationwide violent crime rate began to decline. The nationwide violent crime rate decreased by about one percent in 2017, while the nationwide homicide rate decreased by nearly one and a half percent.
- Preliminary information for 2018 gives reason for optimism. Public data from 60 major cities show that violent crime was down by nearly five percent in those cities in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period a year ago.
These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of PSN, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Levant Woman Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Firearms Dealer and Federal AgentRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Amy Bingaman, 34, of Levant, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee and making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court records, in late February 2018, the defendant conspired with two others to lie to a Brewer federal firearms licensee in connection with the purchase of a .380 caliber handgun. In connection with that purchase, the defendant falsely represented that she was buying the handgun for herself, when, in fact, the actual buyer was another conspirator who was paying her to make the purchase. The handgun was recovered during the execution of a narcotics trafficking search warrant in Brewer.
When the defendant was interviewed by federal agents about purchasing firearms for others, she falsely stated that she had not purchased other firearms for anyone else, when, in fact, she had done so several times previously.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release on each count. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Levant Man Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Zachary Morneault, 34, of Levant, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiring to make false statements to a federal firearms licensee.
According to court records, in late February 2018, the defendant conspired with two others to lie to a Brewer federal firearms licensee in connection with the purchase of a .380 caliber handgun. In connection with that purchase, the defendant convinced Amy Bingaman to falsely represent that she was buying the handgun for herself, when, in fact, the actual buyer was another conspirator who was paying to make the purchase. The defendant drove Bingaman and the other conspirator to the firearms dealer and then directed Bingaman to purchase the handgun. The handgun was recovered during the execution of a narcotics trafficking search warrant in Brewer.
The defendant faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Brewer Police Department, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Gardiner Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Heather Downs, 31, of Gardiner, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Downs conspired with others to acquire heroin and crack in Rochester, New York and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant assisted Rochester dealers in distributing the narcotics in Central Maine. She provided transportation, facilitated drug deals, introduced Rochester conspirators to area distributors, and assisted other conspirators in finding residences from which to sell drugs. She also dropped off drugs and picked up proceeds from various sale points in Central Maine.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Milford Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Richard F. Moloney, 42, of Milford, Maine pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to interfering with commerce by robbery and bank robbery. The charges arose from the robbery of the County Road Market in Milford and a Bangor Savings Bank branch located in Orono in June 2018.
Court records reveal that on June 10, 2018, at about 1:50 p.m., the defendant entered the County Road Market, pointed what appeared to be a dark-colored handgun at a cashier and told her to give him money. The defendant was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, and had socks on his hands and a cloth over his face. A second cashier opened the register and put the cash tray on the counter. The defendant absconded with the money.
Two days later, the defendant robbed the Bangor Savings Bank branch. He was wearing a black mask, a grey hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, sunglasses with reflective lenses, jeans, and white socks on his hands. The defendant walked to the teller counter where a customer was conducting a transaction and displayed a note to the bank teller that read: “Give me all the money fast in a bag. No tracer or dye packs got a gun.” The teller gave the defendant cash from the drawer and he absconded with it.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each robbery. The defendant will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, the Old Town, Bangor and Orono Police Departments, the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, the Maine State Police, and the FBI.
Newport Man Sentenced to over Seven Years for Conspiring to Distribute over a Kilogram of HeroinRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Todd Shorey, 54 of Newport, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 84 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute over a kilogram of heroin. He was also fined $5,000. Shorey pleaded guilty on April 24, 2017.
According to court records, between May 2015 and January 2016, Shorey conspired with Jamie Akerson and others to obtain large quantities of heroin on a weekly basis from an out-of-state supplier and to have it distributed by others throughout Central Maine.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock described Shorey as a “traitor” to his community.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department, and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New York Man Sentenced to over Seven Years for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Brent Hercules, a/k/a “Herc,” 32, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 87 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Hercules conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant served as a courier. He transported drugs and drug dealers from Rochester to Central Maine and brought drug proceeds back to Rochester.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Maine Police Department and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Cushing Man Pleads Guilty to Seaman’s ManslaughterRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Christopher A. Hutchinson, 30, of Cushing, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to two counts of Seaman’s Manslaughter for causing two deaths at sea.
According to court records, on November 1, 2014, after smoking marijuana and drinking, Hutchinson took his lobster boat, No Limits, out into a predicted storm with two crewmen aboard. After he had ingested oxycodone, the boat capsized. The two crewmen were not wearing personal floatation devices or survival suits. The No Limits’ Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alerted at about 1:20 p.m. The Coast Guard rescued Hutchinson at about 4 p.m. At the time, he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The Coast Guard located the bow of No Limits at about 5 p.m. The bodies of the crewmen have never been recovered.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine on each count. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A plea agreement provides that a sentence of four years in prison and three years of supervised release is appropriate and that the defendant may withdraw his guilty plea if the court rejects that sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Bangor Man Sentenced to Six Months for Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Nicholas Reynolds, 34 of Bangor, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to six months in prison and three years of supervised release, with six months of home confinement, for making and distributing marijuana.
According to court records, during a period between October 2010 and August 2016, the defendant conspired with others to illegally manufacture and distribute marijuana. The defendant grew marijuana at a large, sophisticated indoor growing facility in Frankfort, Maine which he was told was an illegal medical marijuana grow. In May 2016, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at the facility and recovered about 400 marijuana plants, 295 marijuana root balls, and paraphernalia used to manufacture and process marijuana. According to the search warrant affidavit, the defendant and his co-conspirators were not registered as medical marijuana caregivers with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the location of the facility was not reported to DHHS.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Bangor Man Sentenced to 2 Years of Probation for Marijuana ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jeremy Duguay, 35 of Bangor was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to two years of probation with six months of home confinement and 240 hours of community service for conspiring to make and distribute marijuana.
According to court records, during a period between October 2010 and August 2016, the defendant conspired with others to illegally manufacture and distribute marijuana. The defendant grew marijuana at a large, sophisticated indoor growing facility in Frankfort, Maine which he was told was an illegal medical marijuana grow. In May 2016, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at the facility and recovered about 400 marijuana plants, 295 marijuana root balls, and paraphernalia used to manufacture and process marijuana. According to the search warrant affidavit, the defendant and his co-conspirators were not registered as medical marijuana caregivers with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the location of the facility was not reported to DHHS.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Winthrop Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements to a Federal Firearms DealerRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Donald Henderson, 35, of Winthrop, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false statements to a federal firearms licensee.
According to court records, in February and March, 2017, Henderson purchased a firearm from a Kennebec County firearms dealer. During each transaction, Henderson falsely claimed to be the actual purchaser of the firearm, when, in fact, he was not. He also claimed that he was not an unlawful user of controlled substances, when, in fact, he was.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
New York Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiring to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Denton Worrell, a/k/a “Lil D,” 21, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” The defendant pleaded guilty on May 8.
According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Worrell conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and transport it to Central Maine for distribution. The defendant managed the operation and oversaw the distribution of drugs from 12 to 15 “trap houses” in Central Maine.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock noted that the defendant was a manager of a “very sophisticated” drug distribution operation based in Rochester and operating in Central Maine.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department, and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
New Hampshire Man Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that James Robinson, 60, of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge George Z. Singal to three years of probation for Social Security fraud. Robinson was also ordered to pay $45,473 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA). As a condition of probation, Robinson is required to sell property that he owns in Cornish, Maine, with the proceeds to go toward restitution. On March 27, Robinson was found guilty following a two-day jury trial.
Evidence at trial revealed that Robinson received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, which are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled or elderly. Between 2008 and 2013, Robinson falsely represented to the SSA that he was living alone in Cornish, and was not receiving help or money from any person. In fact, he was living in Concord with his wife who was providing him with financial assistance. Had Robinson been truthful, he would have been ineligible for SSI benefits. In 2015, Robinson also gave false statements to an SSA Special Agent investigating the matter.
The investigation was conducted by the SSA, Office of the Inspector General, and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, Fraud Investigation & Recovery Unit.
Harrington Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Owen Fickett, 31, of Harrington, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possession with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, on March 6, 2018, a Maine State Police Trooper stopped a vehicle in which Fickett was a passenger. During a roadside investigation, the trooper discovered that Fickett was in possession of heroin, crack and about $1,200. Fickett later admitted that he had been selling heroin and crack.
The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Maine State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Strategy to Combat the Opioid Epidemic.
Garland Man Sentenced to 1½ Years for Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Roger Edward Picard, 66, of Garland, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 1½ years in prison and five years of supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender. Picard pled guilty on May 17.
According to court records, in 1983, Picard was convicted in Massachusetts of Rape of a Child, by force and beating. As a result, he was required to register as a sex offender. He did so in Hawaii on April 2, 2015 and acknowledged that he had to register if he moved to another state. On or before December 3, 2016, Picard moved to Garland but failed to register as required. He was arrested on March 1, 2018.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Levy noted that the purpose of sex offender registration is to protect the public and children, in particular, from sex offenders and that the defendant’s failure to register frustrated the purpose of the act and deprived those in his community of the fact that he had a history as a sex offender.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.