District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Milford Resident Sentenced to 10 Years on Bath Salts and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Edwin Hamel, 60, of Milford was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute bath salts and being a felon in possession of firearms. He pleaded guilty on November 16, 2015.
According to court records, between January 1, 2012 and March 11, 2014, the defendant conspired to distribute the “bath salts” MDPV and Alpha-PVP in Penobscot County. The defendant obtained the drugs from China over the internet, paid for them by wire transfers, had them shipped to the United States, and repackaged them for distribution by dealers who sold them for $100 or more per gram.
In addition, the defendant possessed two rifles which he acquired in exchange for bath salts. They were recovered by law enforcement agents on March 11, 2014 when the defendant was arrested. The defendant was prohibited from possessing the firearms because he had a prior felony marijuana trafficking conviction.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Harmony Man Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Oxycodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Corey Pomerleau, 35, of Harmony, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to a year and a day in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone. He was also fined $500. He pleaded guilty on January 25, 2016.
According to court records, in 2014, the defendant conspired with others to acquire oxycodone in Rhode Island and distribute it in the Dexter, Maine area.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance provided by the Dexter Police Department, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office.
Holden Woman Sentenced to 32 Months for Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Sara Monroe, 30, of Holden, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 32 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute heroin. Monroe pleaded guilty on May 17, 2016.
According to court records, between February and September 2015, Monroe conspired with Mario Lee, a/k/a “Moe” and others to distribute heroin in the Bangor area and elsewhere. Monroe drove Lee to heroin customers and also obtained heroin from him for distribution.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Bangor Residents Sentenced for Maintaining a Drug Involved PremisesRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Daniel Lyons, 42, and Laura Lyons, 31, of Bangor were sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen. Daniel was sentenced to three years in prison, Laura was sentenced to two years in prison, and both were ordered to serve three years of supervised release for maintaining a drug involved premises. Daniel pleaded guilty on March 28, 2016; Laura pleaded guilty on April 12, 2016.
According to Court records, between January and December 2014, the defendants maintained a residence on Essex Street in Bangor and allowed drug dealers to use it to store heroin and to sell heroin to area customers. The defendants were compensated with heroin.
The case was investigated by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Bangor Resident Pleads Guilty to Heroin Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Mario Lee, a/k/a “Moe”, 33, of Bangor, and formerly of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
According to court records, between August 2013 and September 2015, Lee conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Bangor area and elsewhere. Lee supplied heroin to dealers in the Bangor area and surrounding communities. Co-conspirators introduced customers to Lee, drove him to heroin transactions and allowed him to use their residences to distribute heroin. Lee paid them with heroin.
As a result of a prior drug trafficking conviction in New York, Lee faces enhanced penalties of between ten years and life in prison, up to eight years of supervised release and an $8,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Presque Isle Man Sentenced to Four Years for Bath Salts Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Andrew Grivois, 32, of Presque Isle, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute bath salts. The defendant pled guilty to the charge on March 3, 2016.
According to court records, between about June 2012 and June 2014, Grivois conspired with others in Aroostook County to obtain and distribute bath salts. On multiple occasions, Grivois ordered bath salts over the internet from China for personal use and to sell to other conspirators.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Bangor Man Sentenced to More Than a Year for Crack DistributionRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Syriane Baldwin, a/k/a “Del,” 30, of Bangor, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. to one year and three months in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” The defendant pled guilty on May 18, 2016.
According to court records, on September 5, 2014, the defendant sold about three grams of crack for $300 to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Haven, Connecticut Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the City of New Haven Police Department.
Last Three Defendants Sentenced in Bangor Bath Salt Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jacob Gagnon, 27, formerly of Bangor and Van Buren, and Jamie Ketchen, 43, formerly of Bangor, were sentenced yesterday; and Ryan Ellis, 37, formerly of Greenbush and Levant, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”
Gagnon was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Ketchen, who also pled guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises, was sentenced to 13 years and four months. Ellis, who also pled guilty to possession of firearms in connection with a drug trafficking offense, was sentenced to 15 years. Each defendant was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court records, between April and December 2011, the defendants and their co-conspirators illegally distributed MDPV in Penobscot County and elsewhere. Ellis was the ring leader and obtained large quantities of the drug that he supplied to Gagnon, Ketchen and others, who distributed it to dealers in the Bangor area. Ellis also distributed the drug in the mid-coast area and in Aroostook County.
The three defendants were the last of sixteen defendants to be sentenced as part of this investigation which was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bangor, Old Town, Brewer and Veazie Police Departments.
Federal and State Officials and Maine ACLU Attorney Available to Field Election Fraud ClaimsRead the Press Release
Contact: John G. Osborn
Tel: (207) 771-3214
Andrew McCormack
Tel: (207) 262-4615
Assistant U.S. AttorneysPortland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II 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 8, 2016 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 will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. AUSAs Osborn and McCormack have been appointed to serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) for 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.
In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (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.
Arrangements have been made for attorneys to have immediate access to both federal and state court judges during the times that the polls are open to assist in the enforcement of voting rights if necessary.
U.S. Attorney Delahanty said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. 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, 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.The voting franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise 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 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Delahanty stated that 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).
The principal Maine 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) 626-8880. 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.
United States Attorney Delahanty 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.”
South Windham Man Convicted of Mailing Cyanide Resulting in Death, Fraud and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Bangor Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Sidney P. Kilmartin, 54, of South Windham, Maine, was convicted yesterday following a six-day jury trial in U.S. District Court of mailing injurious articles (cyanide) resulting in death, wire fraud, mail fraud and witness tampering. He was found not guilty of witness retaliation. On December 9, 2015, he was charged with those crimes in a superseding indictment. On October 3, 2015, he pled guilty to related wire and mail fraud charges.
According to court documents, in September 2012, the defendant acquired potassium cyanide and thereafter offered to sell it on a website devoted to suicidal persons. Between September of 2012 and May 2013, he communicated by email with people around the world offering the cyanide, and accepting payments for it through PayPal. To some of those victims, he sent Epsom salts instead of cyanide. When one victim he sent Epsom salts to in England did not die after the victim ingested them, the victim complained to the defendant and law enforcement authorities. Thereafter, the defendant sent him real cyanide that resulted in his death.
Kilmartin faces up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the mailing cyanide resulting in death charge, and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the remaining charges. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Humberside Police Force (City of Hull, England).
Winslow Man Sentenced to 14 Months on Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ervin Morrison III, 24, of Winslow, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 14 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud. He was also ordered to pay $26,900 in restitution. The defendant pled guilty to the charges on June 16, 2016.
According to court records, between about June 2014 and July 2015, Morrison entered into contracts promising goods and services to five individuals and companies and for which he collected over $26,000 in advance payments. At the time he entered the contracts, Morrison had no intention or ability to provide the goods and services and he did not provide them.
At sentencing, Judge Woodcock described him as a “serial fraudster” whose life has “been a series of frauds” and noted that he “stole” money from his victims with a “stunning display of amorality.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State Police, the Brunswick and Belfast Police Departments, and the Monson (Massachusetts) Police Department.
New Hampshire Woman Sentenced to Three Years for Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Crystal Dufault, 34, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to three years in prison and five years of supervised release for armed bank robbery. The charges arose from the August 14, 2015 armed robbery of Franklin Savings Bank (FSB) in Franklin, New Hampshire and the September 4, 2015 armed robbery of University Credit Union (UCU) in Portland. The defendant pled guilty on January 20, 2016.
According to court records, the defendant and a co-conspirator, Joseph Richards, brandished a pellet gun and stole $13,240 from FSB and $12,308 from UCU.
On September 14, 2016, Chief Judge Torresen sentenced Richards to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for his involvement in the FSB and USU robberies as well as for the August 3, 2015 robbery of Norway Savings Bank in Freeport and the September 12, 2015 robbery of TD Bank (TD) in Lewiston.
On July 28, 2016, a third co-conspirator, Neil West, Sr., of Portland, Maine, was found guilty following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of armed bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery arising out of the UCU and TD robberies. West served as the getaway driver for both robberies. The TD robbery resulted in a high-speed chase which culminated in Saco. Following the chase, West and Richards were arrested.
U.S. Attorney Delahanty praised the cooperation among these law enforcement agencies noting that “these armed bank robberies were quickly solved because local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across two states worked closely together.”
The joint investigation was conducted by the Franklin and Manchester (New Hampshire) Police Departments; the Freeport, Portland, Lewiston, Old Orchard Beach and Saco Police Departments; the Maine State Police; and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Portland, South Portland, Lewiston and Biddeford Police Departments.
Gorham Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fentanyl and Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that David Thurlow, 28, of Gorham, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl and heroin.
According to Court records, from at least December 2015 until February 2016, Thurlow distributed heroin and fentanyl in the greater Portland area.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Gorham Police Department.
Bangor Man Sentenced to over 20 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Andy Quinn Goodall, 29, most recently of Bangor, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 20 years and 10 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a minor. The defendant pled guilty to the charge on January 29, 2016.
According to court records and proceedings, the defendant took sexually explicit images of two prepubescent minors, uploaded them to a foreign website, and provided links to the images in emails he sent to others. In addition, the defendant possessed hundreds of images and dozens of videos of child pornography. While announcing his sentence, Judge Woodcock stated: “There is a giant step between viewing images and producing them. … The defendant was in a position of trust. He was babysitting the victims. He consciously and intentionally violated this trust. … The role of a judge in a case like this is to protect the people who can’t protect themselves.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Bangor Police Department, and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
Augusta Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of MailRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Julie K. Meek, 56, of Augusta, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to theft of mail.
Court records reveal that Meek was a contract route carrier for the U.S. Postal Service when she stole more than a dozen envelopes from the mail containing checks, cash and gift cards which she used at a gas station, a convenience store and a restaurant, in Orono, Maine. When she was confronted by a police officer and U.S. Postal Service Inspectors, she confessed and surrendered the envelopes she had stolen.
Meek faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She 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. Postal Inspection Service and the Orono Police Department.
Portland Woman Pleads Guilty to Prescription Drug and Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: David B. Joyce
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Shannon Bragdon, 32, of Portland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to attempting to acquire oxycodone by deception and health care fraud.
According to court records, between May 2015 and March 2016, Bragdon took blank prescriptions from a dentist’s office where she was employed and caused dozens of them to be fraudulently issued for oxycodone pills and presented to at least nine pharmacies in Southern Maine.
On March 21, 2016, a pharmacist alerted authorities after suspecting that an oxycodone prescription Bragdon presented was invalid. DEA agents responded to the pharmacy and encountered Bragdon in the waiting area.
She faces up to four years on the drug charge, ten years on the fraud charge, and up to a $250,000 fine on each charge. Sentencing will be held following the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Winthrop Man Sentenced to 57 Months on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Chad Goucher, 38, of Winthrop, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun. Goucher pleaded guilty to these charges on February 1, 2016.
According to court records, on March 6, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Goucher’s Winthrop residence. Officers recovered heroin, drug paraphernalia, and three firearms, including a .12 gauge Iver Johnson sawed-off shotgun. Goucher had a prior felony conviction which prohibited him from possessing firearms. Goucher admitted to law officers that he intended to distribute some of the heroin and he also admitted that he knew that he was not permitted to possess firearms.
At sentencing, Judge Woodcock noted that Goucher was a significant drug dealer, called his actions “disgraceful,” and said that he had disgraced his family’s name by turning his own mother’s home into a drug den.
The investigation was conducted by the Winthrop Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Topsham Couple Sentenced to Five Months for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Thomas Gerken, 63, and Jill Gerken, 62, of Topsham, Maine were sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to five months in prison and three years of supervised release (the first five months of which is to be served on home detention) for conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) by diverting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSI benefits are paid to people who are blind, disabled or elderly and whose income is below specified levels and are to be used to pay for the needs of the beneficiary. The Gerkens were also ordered to pay $98,830 in restitution.
According to court records, the defendants are the parents of two disabled children. In 2004, on the basis of those disabilities, the defendants applied for and were granted SSI benefits for the children. Jill Gerken was designated as the representative payee for each child. As such, she was required to use the funds for their benefit, to annually account for her expenditure of the funds, and to periodically submit information to SSA to allow SSA to determine whether the children remained eligible for benefits.
Between January 2007 and July 2013, during a period of time that the children resided on a full-time basis at an assisted living facility, the defendants diverted SSI benefits and used them to pay for household expenses, including, but not limited to, their mortgage, a home equity loan, utilities, groceries, travel, restaurant meals and books. Over that period of time, they also failed to pay the assisted living facility even though Jill Gerken falsely certified to SSA each year that she spent the SSI benefits on food and housing at the assisted living facility.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Torresen described the Gerkens as greedy and said that a period of incarceration was necessary to reflect the seriousness of their offense, promote respect for law and provide adequate deterrence.
Scott Antolik, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston Division of the SSA’s Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (“OIG”) stated that "representative payee fraud is an egregious offense, not only because it involves the misuse of Social Security funds, but because it affects some of the most vulnerable members of society who cannot manage their own affairs," "The SSA OIG is committed to upholding the integrity of Social Security's programs and protecting its beneficiaries, and our office is grateful to work with partners like the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maine in these efforts."
The investigation was conducted by the SSA’s OIG’s Office of Investigations.
Norwegian Man Pleads Guilty to Making Threatening Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Espen Brungodt, 28, of Norway, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to making threatening interstate communications.
According to court records, on August 3, 2016, Brungodt sent a detailed email to the Portland Police Department and to the press in which he threatened to kill police officers.
Brungodt faces up to five 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. It is anticipated that the defendant will seek to have any sentence imposed served in Norway pursuant to the International Prisoner Transfer Program which permits the transfer of prisoners from countries in which they had been convicted of crimes to their home countries. The program is designed to relieve some of the special hardships that fall upon offenders incarcerated far from home, and to facilitate the rehabilitation of these offenders.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portland Police Department.
Stetson Woman Sentenced to 14 Months for Cocaine and Oxycodone Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Cynthia “Cindy” Williams, 43, of Stetson, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release (including six months of community confinement) for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and oxycodone. She pled guilty to the charge on January 25, 2016.
According to court records, between about 2012 and November 2014, the defendant conspired with nine other people to distribute oxycodone and cocaine in the Dexter, Maine area. The drugs were acquired in Rhode Island and were distributed from her Stetson residence.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance from the Dexter Police Department and the Penobscot and Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Offices.
Stonington Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Arson of a Lobster BoatRead the Press Release
Contact: James M. Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jeremy Eaton, 39, of Stonington, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release for arson of a lobster boat. He pled guilty to the charge on March 11, 2016.
Court records reveal that on the evening of April 16, 2014, Eaton walked to Stonington Harbor, removed gasoline cans from a skiff docked in the harbor and then used a small boat to transport himself and the gas cans to a fiberglass lobster boat which was moored in the harbor. Eaton then emptied the cans of gasoline into the lobster boat and started a fire which destroyed the boat. Eaton later admitted to others that he had burned the boat.
In imposing the seven-year sentence, Judge Woodcock remarked, “To destroy a lobsterman’s boat is to destroy his livelihood.”
The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rockland Woman Sentenced to over Nine Years for Crack Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jackie Madore, 46, of Rockland was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 110 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between January 2010 and August 2013, the defendant conspired to distribute almost a kilogram of crack in Penobscot County and elsewhere. She sold half-gram bags for $50 and gram bags for $100. She transferred the proceeds of her sales to her source of supply in the New Haven, Connecticut area and got cash and crack in exchange. The crack was transported from Connecticut to the Bangor area by other conspirators. Members of the conspiracy from New Haven included members of the Red Side Guerilla Brims, a violent street gang affiliated with the Almighty Blood Nation, a national street gang.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the New Haven, Connecticut Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the City of New Haven Department of Police Services.
Georgetown Man Convicted of Failing to Update Sex Offender RegistrationRead the Press Release
Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Michael Nagell, 51, of Georgetown, Maine, was convicted today following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of failing to update his sex offender registration.
Court records and trial evidence revealed that in 2007, Nagell was convicted in federal court in Massachusetts of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. As a result, he was a sex offender for purposes of the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and was required to register with the Maine sex offender registry. In December 2015, Nagell became a full-time employee of a company in Portland, and remained employed with the company until April 2016. Nagell knowingly failed to update his sex offender registration to reflect this change in his employment.
Nagell faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. 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. Marshals Service.
Sidney Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Heroin and Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Contact: David B. Joyce
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Shawn Figoli, 45, of Sidney, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
According to Court records, on May 17, 2015, the Maine State Police received a report of a vehicle being operated erratically on the Maine Turnpike. A trooper located the vehicle at the Kennebunk Service Plaza and determined that Figoli was its operator and sole occupant. Figoli appeared to be impaired and had a bag that contained about 180 grams of heroin and fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the Maine State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hancock Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Embezzlement ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: F. Todd Lowell
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jodi L. Webber, 37, of Hancock, Maine, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to embezzling bank funds.
According to court documents, in September 2015, Webber was hired by Camden National Bank as a teller at its Bar Harbor (Town Hill), Maine branch. Between November 2015 and February 2016, Webber stole over $83,000 in cash from her teller drawer and concealed it by replacing it with money withdrawn from five customer account. These transactions were not authorized and she forged customer signatures on the withdrawal slips. She typically reversed those withdrawals on the same day that she made them after the bank’s cash audit had been completed. Her embezzlement scheme was discovered when a customer questioned an unauthorized withdrawal from the customer’s account. That inquiry caused the bank to conduct a comprehensive examination of the defendant’s transactions and to contact law enforcement.
Webber faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Bangor Man Sentenced to Three Years for Distributing CrackRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Antonio Gordon, 32, of Bangor, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to Court records, on three occasions between December 2014 and January 2015, Gordon distributed a total of 19 grams of crack to a person cooperating with federal and state law enforcement authorities. The transactions took place in Bangor.
The case was investigated by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Saco Woman Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Contact: Rick Murphy
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced Ann Marie Williams, 52, of Saco, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to embezzling funds from the City of Westbrook.
According to court records, between July of 2015 and April of this year, Williams embezzled $118,000 of cash tax receipts while employed as the City’s tax collector.
Williams faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Old Town Woman Sentenced to 5½ Years for Crack Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Fern Dowling, 40, of Old Town, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 5½ years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”
According to court records, between January 2010 and August 2013, the defendant distributed 7.8 kilograms of crack in Penobscot County and elsewhere. She sold half-gram bags for $50 and gram bags for $100. She transferred the proceeds of her sales to her source of supply in the New Haven, Connecticut area and got cash and crack in exchange. Members of the conspiracy from New Haven included members of the Red Side Guerilla Brims, a violent street gang affiliated with the Almighty Blood Nation, a national street gang.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the New Haven, Connecticut Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the City of New Haven Department of Police Services.
Orland Woman Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
Contact: Chris Ruge
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Carolyn J. Saunders, 57, of Orland, Maine, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to embezzlement in connection with health care.
According to court records, from November of 2011 until April 2015, Saunders, while employed as a financial administrator for Coastal Eye Care, PA and Coastal Eye Surgery Center, LLC, embezzled money by stealing cash from the practices’ bank deposits.
Saunders faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She 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. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General and the Ellsworth Police Department.
The One Life Project – The Youth VoiceRead the Press Release
Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, as part of National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week -- designated by the Department of Justice as the week of September 19-23, 2016 -- Maine students from high schools throughout the state will be participating in “The One Life Project – The Youth Voice” at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine. The Maine Principal’s Association, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, the Maine Attorney General’s Office, and the Bangor Daily News are sponsoring this one-day conference to bring together diverse groups of students from throughout the state and to provide them with an opportunity to talk about and have their voices heard on the issues of drug use and abuse.
Maine is in the throes of a public health crisis relating to the use and abuse of opioids, opiates and other substances. It is well recognized that effectively combatting this problem requires coordination of treatment, prevention, and law enforcement efforts. As part of this coordinated effort, the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Janet Mills, the Maine Attorney General; and John Morris, the Maine Commissioner of Public Safety formed the Maine Opiate Collaborative. This Collaborative brought together experts from the fields of treatment, prevention/harm reduction, and law enforcement to come up with recommendations to address the opiate epidemic. One key recommendation was to engage our youth in the prevention efforts.
The goal of this summit is to give our youth a forum to discuss the issues they see in their schools and communities and to solicit their ideas on solutions. Information gathered at the summit will be shared with state and federal leaders, and school administrators and personnel to help inform future decisions about prevention efforts.
The summit will start at 9:00 a.m. and should be completed by about 1:30 p.m. Members of the media wishing to report on the conference are invited to attend a press conference at the Cross Insurance Center at 12:45 p.m.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Six Years for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Matthew McElroy, 39, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to six years in prison and five years of supervised release for transporting child pornography. McElroy pleaded guilty to the charge on April 15, 2016.
According to court records, in January 2016, a federal agent was investigating the distribution and production of child pornography over the internet when he received an email message attaching three child pornography images from an individual later identified as McElroy, who claimed that the images depicted his niece and that he had sexual contact with her. A search warrant was obtained for McElroy’s Chicopee residence and he was arrested on a criminal complaint. McElroy later admitted that he used his email account to trade child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Chicopee, Massachusetts Police Department.
South Portland Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Ecstacy and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Isaac Allen, 23, of South Portland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 3 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute ecstacy (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and for illegally possessing firearms. Allen pled guilty to these offenses on March 17, 2016.
According to court records and evidence introduced at the plea hearing, Allen bought ecstasy from European suppliers, paid for it with “Bitcoin,” and had it shipped to the United States where he sold it to customers, one of whom was cooperating with federal investigators. Bitcoin is a digital currency that is not backed by any country’s central bank. On December 2, 2015, Allen’s residence was searched and agents seized, among other things, distributable quantities of ecstasy, a handgun and four loaded magazines. While the search was ongoing, Allen was arrested after being stopped in a vehicle a short distance from his residence. Agents seized a loaded handgun from the vehicle’s glove compartment.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the South Portland Police Department.
New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Armed Bank RobberiesRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Joseph Richards, 47, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for armed bank robbery. The charges arose from the August 3, 2015 armed bank robbery of Norway Savings Bank (NSB) in Freeport, Maine; the August 14, 2015 armed bank robbery of Franklin Savings Bank (FSB) in Franklin, New Hampshire; the September 4, 2015 armed bank robbery of University Credit Union (UCU) in Portland; and the September 12, 2015 armed bank robbery of TD Bank (TDB) in Lewiston, Maine.
According to court records, the defendant used a pellet gun in each robbery and absconded with $5,854 from NSB, $13,240 from FSB, $12,308 from UCU and $9,888 from TDB. At the time of the robberies, the defendant was on federal supervised release for a 2003 federal bank robbery conviction in New Hampshire, for which he received a 12½ year sentence.
On July 28, 2016, one of Richards’ co-conspirators, Neil West, Sr., of Portland, Maine, was found guilty following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of armed bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery arising out of the UCU and TDB robberies. West served as the getaway driver for both robberies. The TD Bank robbery resulted in a high-speed chase which culminated in Saco. Following the chase, West and Richards were arrested.
Before imposing sentence, Chief Judge Torresen stated the seriousness of these offenses is impossible to overstate. People’s lives were put at risk. The emotional harm that the tellers suffered will last a lifetime.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Franklin (New Hampshire), Manchester (New Hampshire), Freeport, Portland, Lewiston, Old Orchard Beach and Saco (Maine) Police Departments; the Maine State Police; and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Portland, South Portland, Lewiston and Biddeford Police Departments.
Bath Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Transfer Obscene Matter to MinorRead the Press Release
Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Garrett Brosnan, 25, of Bath, Maine, waived indictment and pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to attempting to transfer obscene matter to a minor.
According to court records, in May of this year, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were investigating a report that an unknown adult male had an inappropriate online interaction with a minor girl in Arizona. Investigators obtained information suggesting that the male was Brosnan. An HSI investigator in Arizona initiated an undercover online conversation with Brosnan in late May. The investigator said she was a 14-year-old girl from Arizona. On June 2, Brosnan sent the investigator a picture of himself exposing his penis.
Brosnan faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of up to three years. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by HSI offices in Maine and Arizona.
Winter Harbor Man Convicted of Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jack Palmer, 66, of Winter Harbor was convicted following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of possession of child pornography.
The evidence at trial revealed that on October 23, 2014, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Palmer’s residence where they recovered a laptop computer and compact disks. A forensic examination of these items revealed over 300 images and videos of child pornography. During two separate interviews with law enforcement, Palmer admitted to searching for, viewing, and collecting child pornography.
Palmer faces up to 20 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 Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Lewiston Men Convicted of Robbery and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Kourtney Williams, 26, and Victor Lara Jr, 33, both of Lewiston, Maine were convicted yesterday following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of robbery conspiracy and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Williams was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both were found not guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.
Court records and trial evidence revealed that on August 2, 2014, at about 11:00 p.m., the defendants and Ismael Douglas broke into a residence on the Garfield Road in Minot, Maine intending to steal drugs and money from its occupants. Williams was armed with a handgun and Lara was armed with a crowbar.
The defendants face up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge, an additional term of seven years to life on the use of a firearm charge and a $250,000 fine on each count. In addition, Williams faces an enhanced sentence as an armed career criminal of 15 years to life on the firearm possession charge, and a $250,000 fine. They will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. On August 11, 2016, Douglas pled guilty to robbery conspiracy and using a firearm during a crime of violence and awaits sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Police, the Lewiston and Auburn Police Departments, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 15¾ Years on Cocaine Conspiracy ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Richard W. Szpyt, a/k/a “Zip,” 57, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to 15¾ years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. Szpyt pled guilty to the charge on June 2, 2016.
According to court records, from 2006 through about December 2007, co-conspirator Ramon Dellosantos supplied cocaine to Szpyt on numerous occasions. Szpyt distributed it to dealers operating in Maine who sold it to customers in Maine. Dellosantos pled guilty to the same charge on May 24, 2016 and awaits sentencing.
Szpyt and Dellosantos were arrested in 2008 along with 18 other people and charged with selling marijuana and cocaine to customers in Maine. According to evidence introduced at that trial, Szpyt was president of the Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club and he used other members of the club to distribute the drugs. A jury convicted Szpyt and Dellosantos in May 2009 on charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and more than five kilograms of cocaine. In August 2011, their convictions were overturned by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. They were re-indicted on December 14, 2011. To date, 12 other conspirators have been sentenced.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Turkish Man Sentenced to 3½ Months for Unlawfully Re-Entering the United StatesRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Tayfun Remzi Reis, 61, of Istanbul, Turkey, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 3½ months in prison for unlawfully re-entering the United States after having been removed from the country. He was also fined $2,000.
According to court records, on May 30, 2016, the defendant was discovered by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in an area of a recent border sensor activation near Blaine, Maine. Reis was located close to the international border, adjacent to a beaten down trail, and was found on the ground in a fetal position covered by branches. Fingerprint results revealed that he was a citizen of Turkey who in 1998 had been removed from the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Border Patrol.
Brewer Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Walter Botelho, 52, of Brewer, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to court records, on May 2, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Brewer residence and recovered, among other things, two rifles and two shotguns. The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions for first degree manslaughter (New York), receiving stolen goods (Rhode Island), and assault and battery (Massachusetts).
Botelho faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of 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 investigation was conducted by the Brewer Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Bangor Woman Pleads Guilty to Failure to Present at a Border CrossingRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Deidre Smith, a/k/a Deidre Fowler, 43, of Bangor, Maine, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to unlawfully entering the United States without presenting herself at a border crossing point. Smith is currently unemployed and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.
According to court records, on August 5, 2016, U.S. Border Patrol agents saw Smith walking on a road in Hodgdon, Maine near the border between Canada and the United States. Smith later admitted that she crossed into the United States on foot from Canada and that she knowingly failed to enter the United States through a border crossing point.
Smith faces up to one year in prison, a $5,000 fine, and up to one year of supervised release. She 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. Border Patrol.
Swanville Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms LawRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that John T. Hines, 50, of Swanville, Maine pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to unlawfully possessing four firearms.
According to court records and evidence adduced at a trial in April 2013, two Waldo County Sheriff’s deputies went to the defendant’s residence to investigate a neighbor’s complaint of hearing gunfire coming from the property and found Hines in possession of a loaded .357 Ruger revolver, two rifles and a shotgun. Hines was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearms because he had previously been convicted of domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Hines faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of 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 investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.Swanville Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms LawRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that John T. Hines, 50, of Swanville, Maine pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to unlawfully possessing four firearms.
According to court records and evidence adduced at a trial in April 2013, two Waldo County Sheriff’s deputies went to the defendant’s residence to investigate a neighbor’s complaint of hearing gunfire coming from the property and found Hines in possession of a loaded .357 Ruger revolver, two rifles and a shotgun. Hines was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearms because he had previously been convicted of domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Hines faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of 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 investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.Jay Man Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Federal Program FraudRead the Press Release
Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Timothy P. Gallagher, 47, of Jay, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to a year and a day in prison and three years of supervised release for federal program fraud. He was also ordered to pay $79,639 in restitution. He pled guilty on April 14, 2016.
According to court records, between May and November 2014, the defendant embezzled $79,639 from Stanford Management LLC (“Stanford”), a property management company specializing in affordable housing that received millions of dollars in federal benefits each year under programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”). While employed as a full-time construction manager at Stanford, Gallagher set up a competing construction company and paid it to hire subcontractors to perform work on Stanford properties, the job he was being paid a wage to perform. He also concealed his ownership of the competing construction company from Stanford and the federal agencies.
The case was investigated by HUD, Office of Inspector General and the USDA, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Jay Police Department.
Rumford Man Sentenced to Four Years for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Contact: Jonathan R. Chapman
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Troy Blanchard, 27 of Rumford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony.
According to court records, on January 19, 2016, officers of the Rumford Police Department saw Blanchard walking on a street in that town carrying a shotgun. Blanchard then dropped the firearm and entered a nearby residence. The police recovered the shotgun and then arrested Blanchard at the residence. Blanchard was prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms because of a 2014 conviction in Oxford County for trafficking in drugs.
The case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rumford Police Department.
Northern Maine Medical Center Agrees to Pay $125,000 to Settle Civil Controlled Substances Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew K. Lizotte
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II today announced that Northern Maine Medical Center (“NMMC”), has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States in which it will pay $125,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”).Controlled substances are strictly regulated in the United States because of their potential for abuse and the danger they pose if improperly used. The CSA establishes a closed system of controls over the handling of controlled substances by registrants, including hospitals, pharmacies and rehabilitation facilities. Violations of the CSA concerning dispensing and administering, distribution, recordkeeping, and other related activities can result in civil penalties.
NMMC is a hospital in Fort Kent, Maine. In addition to acute care services, NMMC also offers long term care and skilled rehabilitation at a location at 25 Bolduc Avenue, in Fort Kent, known as Forest Hill. NMMC operates as a Hospital/Clinic registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), but does not have a separate registration for Forest Hill.
The settlement resolves allegations that NMMC negligently failed to maintain and keep records of its destruction of Schedule II through V controlled substances at Forest Hill and at its on-site pharmacy. The CSA requires registrants to document the amount, date and manner of destruction and disposal of controlled substances. The Government alleged that the only information NMMC maintained concerning the destruction of controlled substances at Forest Hill was a notation that the drug was “wasted”; that NMMC pharmacy records omitted the manner of disposal; and that NMMC unlawfully distributed controlled substances at Forest Hill because it did not have a registration permitting it to distribute and dispense controlled substances there.
NMMC admitted no wrongdoing in resolving the matter and contended that its actions at all times complied with the applicable CSA requirements. NMMC cooperated fully throughout the investigation.
The case was investigated by the DEA’s Office of Diversion Control. The civil action is docketed United States v. Northern Maine Medical Center, 16-cv-00445-JDL (D. Me.).
Portland Company Pleads Guilty to Lacey Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that ISF Trading Company (“ISF”), of Portland, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to violating the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act is a federal law that prohibits trade in wildlife that has been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold.
ISF is a Maine company engaged in the business of buying seafood, including live sea urchins, from Maine and Canadian suppliers, processing that seafood, and selling it to domestic and foreign, mostly Asian, markets. According to court records, ISF bought Canadian sea urchins from a Canadian supplier, TGK Fisheries of Grand Manan, that was not authorized under Canadian law to export them to the United States. ISF brought them across the Calais Port of Entry under the false label of another Canadian supplier, Matthews Seafood (“Matthews”) of New Brunswick, Canada. At times, Matthews was authorized to export them. On seven occasions between December 31, 2010 and February 1, 2011, ISF illegally imported a total of about 48,000 pounds of sea urchins, whose processed roe was worth at least $172,800, from TGK through Calais under the Mathews label. The scheme was discovered in February 2011, when ISF attempted to import 8,000 pounds of sea urchins, using an invoice in the name of Matthews. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer became suspicious when he noticed that the totes containing the sea urchins did not have the labels required by law.
ISF faces up to five years of probation. Under its agreement with the United States, ISF faces up to $1,250,000 in fines and forfeitures for the violations.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
South Paris Man Sentenced to 21 Months for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Andrew Bean, 51, of South Paris, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing a firearm after being convicted of four felony offenses. He pleaded guilty on April 26, 2016.
According to court records, on November 21, 2015, a Maine Game Warden discovered Bean in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun in the Paris, Maine area. Bean was prohibited from possessing firearms based on prior felony convictions for Operating Under the Influence and for Operating after Revocation in 2002 and, again, in 2006.
The case was investigated by the Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Lewiston Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Douglas Blodgett, 46, of Lewiston, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to accessing with intent to view material containing images of child pornography.
According to court records, in March of this year, Blodgett used the internet to access Internet Relay Chat channels and chatrooms containing child pornography images. Investigators executed a search warrant on Blodgett’s computer and residence, and found that he had accessed internet addresses containing child pornography images. In an interview with agents, Blodgett admitted visiting chatrooms containing child pornography.
Blodgett faces between 10 and 20 years in prison; a $250,000 fine; and between 5 years and life on supervised release. He faces an enhanced sentence because of a prior sex offense conviction. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Father and Daughter Convicted of Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Roger Belanger, 59, of Corinna, Maine and Kelli Mujo, 31, of Harmony and Wellington, Maine and Central Falls, Rhode Island, were convicted on Friday following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and maintaining a drug involved premise.
The evidence at trial revealed that between 2002 and 2014 the defendants ran a cocaine and oxycodone distribution conspiracy that stretched from Rhode Island to the Dexter, Maine area. They obtained over 22 kilograms of cocaine and thousands of oxycodone pills in Rhode Island. Mujo and others transported it to Maine where it was distributed in Dexter and the surrounding communities.
They face between 10 years and life in prison, a $10,000,000 fine, and between five years and life on supervised release on the conspiracy charge and up to 20 years, a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release on the premises charge.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance provided by the Dexter Police Department, and the Penobscot, Somerset and Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Offices.
Cushing Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Joseph Dinapoli, 27, of Cushing, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to possessing firearms after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
According to court records, in June 2008, Dinapoli was convicted of Domestic Violence Assault, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under federal law, and as a result was prohibited from possessing firearms. In June 2014, Dinapoli was found in possession of two handguns.
Dinapoli faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.