District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 20 Months for Travelling Interstate to have Sex with a MinorRead 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 William McNeill, 23, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to 20 months in prison and five years of supervised for travelling interstate to engage in sexual conduct with a minor. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, and while on supervised release his access to minors, computers, and the Internet will be restricted.
According to court documents, in the fall of 2014, McNeill met a 14-year-old girl from Cumberland County online. On about October 18, 2014, following several weeks of communicating with the juvenile in a sexually explicit manner, McNeill travelled from North Carolina to Maine to meet and have sexual relations with her.
The case resulted from a joint investigation between the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bridgton, Maine Police Department.Portland Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Robbing Five Financial InstitutionsRead the Press Release
Contact: James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel. (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II, announced that Jimmy Odong, 26, of Portland was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 14 years in prison for robbing three credit unions and two banks in 2015. He was also order to pay $26,790 in restitution. The charges arose from the robberies of University Credit Union in Portland on May 14, 2015; TruChoice Federal Credit Union in Portland on May 26, 2015; CPort Credit Union and Bank of America, both in Portland, on June 19, 2015; and Key Bank in Freeport, Maine, on July 17, 2015.
In the robberies, Odong was captured on bank security cameras wearing a hat or wig that partially disguised his appearance, he demanded cash from tellers, and he brandished what appeared to be a gray or black semiautomatic handgun. Odong has been in custody since July 23, 2015, when the FBI and Portland Police arrested him in Portland for the Key Bank robbery after a partial palm print of Odong was recovered from a stolen vehicle he used in the robbery.
Before imposing sentence, Chief Judge Torresen stated that bank robberies such as the ones committed by Odong are extremely serious offenses, especially when a weapon is brandished. She stated that the tellers and the customers often suffer emotional trauma that continues well beyond the date of the crime. Judge Torresen also told Odong that his crimes affected the entire banking industry in this area because no bank felt safe.
The investigation was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); the Freeport, Portland and Brunswick Police Departments; the Maine State Police; and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force comprised of agents and officers from the FBI; 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. U.S. Attorney Delahanty praised the cooperation among these law enforcement agencies noting that “these bank robberies were quickly solved because local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies worked closely together.”
Lewiston Woman Sentenced to Probation for Embezzling Postal FundsRead 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 Jayme L. Temoke, 29, of Lewiston, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to two years of probation for misappropriation of postal funds. She was also ordered to pay $4,367 in restitution. Temoke pleaded guilty on February 23, 2016.
According to court documents, in June and July 2014, Temoke used her position as postmaster relief for the West Poland post office to embezzle $4,367 in postal funds by cashing money orders and not reporting their sale until she was able to cover the shortage with the proceeds of later embezzled money orders. When confronted, she told investigators that she was a single mother of three children who got into financial difficulty, started taking money intending to pay it back, but was unable to do so.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
Salvadoran Man Pleads Guilty to 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 Manual Antonio Guerra-Nolasco, 36, of Canton Matelapa, El Salvador pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to unlawfully re-entering the United States after having been removed from the country.
According to court records, on May 30, 2016, Guerra-Nolasco was arrested after a traffic stop in Orrington, Maine when a Penobscot Count Deputy Sherriff learned that the pick-up truck he was driving was not registered and that his California driver’s license had been issued in the name of another person. Immigration records revealed that Guerra-Nolasco had been removed from the United States on August 20, 2007.
Guerra-Nolasco faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Border Patrol.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead 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 Ariel Perez-Calvo, 28, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Court records show that between January 7 and January 13, 2016, Perez-Calvo and Roberto Lueje-Rodriguez used debit and credit card account numbers belonging to Maine bank customers located in Penobscot, Knox, Hancock, Piscataquis, Franklin, Somerset, Kennebec, and Androscoggin counties, to make unauthorized purchases totaling more than $50,000. The defendant engaged in similar conduct in Manchester and Concord, New Hampshire in November 2015 when he used debit and credit card account numbers belonging to New Hampshire bank customers to make unauthorized purchases totaling more than $1,000.
The name embossed on each fake card was “David Cuan,” which was not the name of any of the victims. Each fake card bore a unique account number and appeared to be an authentic debit or credit card, but their magnetic strips were encoded with the true account numbers of the victims.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for access device fraud and an additional mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of two years for the aggravated identity theft. He will also be ordered to pay full restitution. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
On July 8, 2016, Lueje-Rodriquez pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft charges arising out of the same conduct and awaits sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Bangor, Brewer, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Hampden, Lincoln, Millinocket, Newport, Pittsfield, Rockland, Saco, Waterville (Maine) and Londonderry (New Hampshire) Police Departments.
Sanford Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms 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 William Klingensmith, 46, of Sanford, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
According to court records, Klingensmith possessed eleven firearms at different times between February and July 2015. He used two of them for target shooting at a range in Fairfield and had nine of them hanging on the wall of his former residence in Waterville. He was prohibited from possessing them because in 2010 he was convicted in Maine of domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
The defendant faces up to 10 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 investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waterville Police Department.
Norway Citizen Charged with Making Threatening Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
Contact: Michael J. Conley
Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that Espen Brungodt, 28, of Norway, was arrested and charged in U.S. District Court by criminal complaint with making threatening interstate communications.
According to court records, on August 3, 2016, Brungodt sent an email to the Portland Police Department in which he threatened to kill police officers.
The defendant will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland today at 2:00 p.m.
He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portland Police Department.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Caribou Man Sentenced to 28 Months 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 Dustin Giles, 31, of Caribou, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. for conspiring to distribute bath salts to 28 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant pled guilty to the charge on January 12, 2016.
According to court records, between about January 2012 and June 2014, Giles conspired with others in Aroostook County to obtain bath salts overseas via the internet and distribute it. Specifically, Giles was supplied with bath salts by another member of the conspiracy and distributed it to multiple customers.
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.
New York Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead 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 P. Cortez, 58, of College Point, New York and Portland was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 10 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender. Cortez pleaded guilty on April 5, 2016.
According to court documents, Cortez was convicted in Maine in 1989 of unlawful sexual contact with a minor under 14 years old. As a result, Cortez is required to register as a sex offender for life. In 1996, Cortez was living in New York when it instituted a sex offender registry. Between about 1996 and about March of 2003, Cortez was registered in New York. In 2003, Cortez gave New York notice that he was moving back to Maine. Between 2006 and 2015, Cortez registered in Maine. After March 2015, Cortez moved to College Point, New York, where he lived with his father and stepmother. He did not inform Maine that he had moved to New York and he did not register in New York. In December of 2015, Cortez was arrested in New York and told arresting officers, among other things, that he had been living in New York for about eight months.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Levy explained that he did not believe that Mr. Cortez did not understand that he had to register, that the purposes of the sentence were to protect the public, to promote respect for law, and to deter Mr. Cortez from reoffending.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Sex Offender Registry, the New York Sex Offender Registry, and the Portland Police Department.
Former Richmond Resident Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Bank FraudRead 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 Howard Hoffman, 53, formerly of Richmond, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to one year and one day in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for bank fraud. Hoffman pleaded guilty on April 15, 2016.
According to court records, in March 2007, Hoffman’s childhood friend died while in Costa Rica. Over a year later, Hoffman used his deceased friend’s personal identifying information to gain access to the friend’s bank account and change the address on the account to his residence in Richmond. Over the next few weeks, Hoffman caused two checks, totaling approximately $80,000, to be issued from his friend’s account. Hoffman deposited the checks into a bank account of a company he controlled. Hoffman did not have authority to access the account or cause the bank to issue the two checks.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service.
Portland Man Sentenced to a Year and a Day for Credit Union Embezzlement and Making False Entries in Credit Union RecordsRead 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 John C. Barry, 69, of Portland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to a year and a day in prison for embezzlement and making false entries in credit union records. He was also order to pay $533,791 in restitution. He pled guilty to the charges on November 18, 2015.
According to court records, the defendant was the manager of the Portland Police Department Federal Credit Union (“PPDFCU”), a federal credit union whose deposits were federally insured. In that capacity, the defendant had access to PPDFCU bank accounts and was responsible for managing the activities of the credit union. Between 2009 and December 2013, the defendant embezzled $533,791 from credit union accounts by transferring the funds into his and his family members’ accounts for his and their personal use. Over that period of time, the defendant was also responsible for preparing and submitting certified quarterly call reports to the National Credit Union Administration (“NCUA”). The defendant caused false quarterly call reports to be filed that overstated the PPDFCU’s net worth to make it appear that PPDFCU was sufficiently capitalized, when in truth and in fact, as he well knew, the PPDFCU was not sufficiently capitalized. As a result, on December 1, 2014, the NCUA facilitated the acquisition of the PPDFCU by a much larger federal credit union.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Portland Man Found Guilty of Committing Two 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 Neil West, Sr., 65, was found guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court of armed bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery, following a jury trial. The charges arose from the September 4, 2015 robbery of the University Credit Union in Portland and the September 12, 2015 robbery of TD Bank in Lewiston. West was found not guilty of robbing or conspiring to rob Norway Savings Bank on August 23, 2015.
According to evidence at trial and court records, co-conspirators Joseph Richards and Crystal Default robbed the two financial institutions and West was their getaway driver. The TD Bank robbery resulted in a high-speed chase which terminated in Saco and resulted in the arrests of West and Richards.
At the time of both robberies, West was on federal supervised release stemming from a June 2013 conviction for Accessory After the Fact (Bank Robbery) for which he received a 41-month prison sentence.
West faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the robbery charges and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy charges. He will be sentenced after completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
On January 20, 2016, Richards and Default pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery and await sentencing.
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.
Southwest Harbor Man Sentenced to Six Months in Prison for Felony OUIRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Justin Bent, 29, of Southwest Harbor, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to six months in prison as well as three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a total of $2,520 in fines, special assessments and court costs for operating under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury in Acadia National Park. He was also convicted of operating a vehicle without due care and destroying trees and other natural resources. Bent previously pled guilty to these offenses on February 22, 2016.
Court records reveal Bent drove off of a roadway and crashed a van into trees at the Park in May of 2014, seriously injuring a passenger in his vehicle. Court records also indicated the passenger was transported by life flight to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he underwent emergency surgery for a bone fracture.
The investigation was conducted by National Park Service Rangers as well as the police departments of Southwest Harbor and Mount Desert Island.
Bangor Resident Sentenced for Distributing CocaineRead 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 Kliton Xhemali, 33, of Bangor was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock today to eighteen months imprisonment and a three-year term of supervised release on his conviction for distribution of cocaine.
According to court records, on April 2, 2015, Xhemali sold approximately one ounce of cocaine to a government informant who was working with an undercover agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The sale took place at Xhemali’s residence in Bangor. At the sentencing hearing, the court found that Xhemali was responsible for four ounces of cocaine in addition to the amount that he sold on April 2 based on conduct that occurred on other dates.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock described as “mystifying” Xhemali’s decision to turn to drug dealing. The court observed that the defendant came from a good family in the Country of Albania who provided him with opportunities in this country, was highly educated, charismatic, a few credits away from earning a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a one-time owner of a pizzeria in Hampden, Maine. Considering all this, the judge stated “to whom much has been given, much is expected” and told Xhemali that “you used your gifts to distribute poison to the people of this area.”
The case was investigated by the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Hermon Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Charles Roberson, 44, of Hermon, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
According to court records, in 2004, Roberson was convicted in Minnesota of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree. This felony conviction made Roberson a lifetime sex offender registrant. In or about the fall of 2015, Roberson moved from Minnesota and began living and working in Hermon, Maine. He did not notify the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registration unit that he was moving. Further, up until his arrest on February 23, 2016, he made no attempt to register with the Maine State Police Sex Offender Registry.
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 case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.
Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in New Haven to Bangor Drug Conspiracy CaseRead 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 Wendell White, 52, of Rumford, Maine (formerly of Bangor) pleaded guilty today U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as crack.
Between about January 2010 and August 2013, the defendant conspired with Christian Turner, a/k/a “P” and Rodrigo Ramirez, a/k/a “Rico” and others to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine throughout the greater Bangor area. The drugs were obtained in the New Haven, Connecticut area and transported to the Bangor area by others. The defendant obtained the drugs from Turner and Ramirez and sold it for $100 per gram and $50 per half-gram. He also allowed Turner, Ramirez and others to use his apartment on Sanford Street in Bangor as a place where crack could be sold and used. 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 defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine and between three 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 Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Haven Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Falmouth Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Trafficking Heroin That Resulted in DeathRead 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 Adam Norton, 32, of Falmouth, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for distributing heroin that resulted in death. Norton pled guilty to the charge on January 26, 2016.
According to court records, in October 2014, Norton distributed heroin to a man that resulted in his death. Only days after the death, Norton supplied heroin to a family member who overdosed on it, but who was resuscitated with Narcan, an opiate antidote.
At the sentencing, Judge Levy commented that this “case presents circumstances that are the most heartbreaking” he has encountered. The Court noted that Norton’s drug trafficking was related to his heroin addiction that started from his use of medication that had been prescribed him. The Court added, however, that “being an addict is not an excuse for drug trafficking.”
This case results from an investigation conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Four More Plead Guilty in Dexter Area Drug Conspiracy CaseRead 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 Mark Tasker, a/k/a “Mackie”, 49, of Dexter, Maine; Greg Tasker, 28, of Stetson, Maine; and Eugene Moulton, 67, and Antoinette Perreault, a/k/a “Toni”, 48, both of Harmony, Maine, pleaded guilty today U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone and cocaine.
According to court records, between January 2002 and November 2014, the defendants conspired to distribute oxycodone and/or five kilograms or more of cocaine in the Dexter area. The drugs were acquired in Rhode Island. Father and son, Mark and Greg Tasker, distributed oxycodone and cocaine. Moulton and Perreault distributed cocaine. Mark Tasker also pled guilty to maintaining a drug-involved premises for allowing his Liberty Street residence in Dexter to be used for drug distribution activities.
Co-defendants John Williams, Cynthia Williams, Whitney Chadbourne, and Corey Pomerleau pled guilty in the case on January 25, 2016 and await sentencing.
Mark Tasker faces 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 in prison, a $500,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the premises charge. Greg Tasker, Moulton and Perreault face 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 and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance provided by the Dexter Police Department, and the Penobscot County and Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Offices.
Sanford Man Sentenced More Than 11 Years on Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Benjamin M. Block
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jesse Roy, 37, of Sanford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to 140 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to court records, from around June 2014 until October 20, 2014, Roy conspired to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Sanford, Maine area and elsewhere. On October 20, 2014, a search warrant executed at Roy’s residence in Sanford resulted in the seizure of about 94 grams of heroin, $24,500 in U.S. currency, and a Davis Industries, model P380, .380 caliber handgun. Several months after his arrest, Roy sent two letters to his co-defendant setting forth a false narrative regarding the charges they faced in an effort to obstruct the investigation and prosecution.
Roy was sentenced to 80 months in prison for his role in the narcotics distribution conspiracy and an additional five years for the possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Judge Levy enhanced Roy’s sentence because of his attempt to obstruct justice and for acting as a manager or supervisor of the drug distribution conspiracy.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Sanford Police Department.
Caribou Man Pleads Guilty to Lying and Buying a Firearm for a FelonRead 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 Brian Hitchcock, 29, of Caribou, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
Court records reveal that on May 23, 2014, the defendant went to Ben’s Trading Post, a federal firearms licensee and dealer of firearms located in Presque Isle, Maine, and falsely completed a federal firearms application form certifying that he was the actual buyer of a pistol, when, in fact, he was buying the pistol for a felon. Surveillance video showed the defendant purchasing the pistol when the felon was present at the Trading Post and the defendant later admitted to buying the pistol for the felon.
Hitchcock 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.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Caribou Police Department.
Milford Man Sentenced to 10 years for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: Chris Ruge
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Anthony Parent, 23, of Milford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 10 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. He was also ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution to victims of his offense. He pleaded guilty on October 30, 2015.
According to court records, from about October 31, 2013 to about July 17, 2014, Parent kept images and videos of child pornography on his personal computer, uploaded them to online accounts, and used electronic mail services to trade child pornography with others.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock commented that the images possessed by the defendant, some depicting the sexual abuse of babies, were “abhorrent” and “unspeakable.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State Police, and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.
Waldoboro Man Sentenced to 41 Months for Role in New Haven to Bangor Crack Distribution RingRead 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 Jeremy Ingersoll-Meserve, 38, of Waldoboro, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr., to 41 months in prison and a three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as crack.
Between about January 2010 and August 2013, the defendant conspired with Christian Turner, a/k/a “P”, Jermaine Mitchell, a/k/a “Melo”, Rodrigo Ramirez, a/k/a “Rico” and others to distribute over 280 grams of crack cocaine throughout the greater Bangor area. The drugs were obtained in the New Haven, Connecticut area and transported to the Bangor area by others. The defendant obtained the drugs from other conspirators and sold it for $100 per gram and $50 per half-gram. Members of the conspiracy from New Haven included members of the Red Side Guerilla Brimms, a violent street gang affiliated with the Almighty Blood Nation, a national street gang.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Haven Office of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the New Haven Police Department.
New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 20 Years Plus Life in Prison for Domestic Violence and Firearm Charges Arising Out of Saco Home InvasionRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Gregory Owens, 59, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 20 years plus life in prison for interstate domestic violence and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in connection with a home invasion shooting in Saco, Maine on December 18, 2014. He was also ordered to pay over $80,000 in restitution. He was found guilty following a jury trial on February 16, 2016.
According to trial testimony, on December 18, 2014, Owens drove from New Hampshire to Maine intending to kill his wife who was an overnight guest at the home of friends living in Saco. During the home invasion, Owens shot his wife and the male home owner with a 9mm pistol. Both survived their injuries.
In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Torresen noted that this was one of the most serious crimes she had encountered. She said that the defendant crossed a state line planning to murder his wife and she called his trial testimony denying it “bunk.” “I don’t believe you, no one here believes you.” In imposing the sentence, she recognized that the defendant had exhibited the capacity to commit murder to achieve his ends two times and that she needed to protect the public because he would never change.
The investigation was conducted by the Saco Police Department; the Londonderry Police Department; the Maine and New Hampshire State Police; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory.
Guilford Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Joshua Bickmore, 29, of Guilford, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to distribution of heroin.
According to court records, on August 13, 2015, Bickmore met with an undercover law enforcement officer at the Cambridge, Maine, General Store and sold him 13 baggies of heroin for $390.
Bickmore faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and a lifetime 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 Drug Enforcement Administration and the Greenville, Maine, Police Department.
Mechanics Falls Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Amanda Ouellette, 38, of Mechanics Falls, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to failing to account for and pay over federal employment taxes.
According to court records, from 2008 to 2013, Ouellette operated Daddy O’s, a restaurant in Oxford, Maine, and paid wages on a regular basis to several employees. She withheld federal income and FICA taxes from her employees’ gross pay, but from 2009 through 2013, she failed to file quarterly federal income tax returns and pay over the taxes she withheld to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), as required.
Ouellette faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to pay $114,487 in restitution to the IRS.
Bangor Woman Sentenced to 4½ Years for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Chris Ruge
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Tiffany Sutherland, 30, of Bangor was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 4½ years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.” Sutherland pleaded guilty to the charge on January 25, 2016.
According to court records, from April to October, 2014, Sutherland conspired with Terrence Douglas and others to obtain drugs from out-of-state suppliers and to distribute them in the Bangor area. Sutherland sold heroin and crack cocaine and gave proceeds from those sales to Douglas.
In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock told Sutherland that her home town of Bangor “has changed for the worse because of people like you.” On November 18, 2015, Douglas was sentenced to 10 years on conspiracy and gun charges.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the Bangor Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
Bangor Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Creating and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Contact: F. Todd Lowell
Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Timothy S. Klimas, 27, of Bangor, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 50 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for creating and distributing child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charges on September 22, 2015.
Court records reveal that between 2012 and 2014, the defendant sexually abused three minor children and used a digital camera and his cell phone’s camera to record sexually explicit images of them. He posted many of those images on a website. He was arrested in August 2014.
In imposing sentence, Judge Woodcock said: “These images are a crime against innocence … against childhood … against a basic human moral code” and that the defendant’s conduct was “beyond evil.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bangor and Newport Police Departments.
Miami, Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Credit Card Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead 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 Roberto Lueje-Rodriguez, 29, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Court records show that between January 7 and January 13, 2016, Lueje-Rodriguez and another man used debit and credit card account numbers belonging to bank customers in Maine to make unauthorized purchases totaling more than $50,000. They used the cards in Penobscot, Knox, Hancock, Piscataquis, Franklin, Somerset, Kennebec, and Androscoggin counties.
Each of the debit card account numbers used by the defendant were unique and assigned to one person or, in one instance, to a Maine company. He used plastic cards made to look as though they were authentic debit or credit cards. Each of the cards was encoded with true account numbers on the magnetic strip. The name embossed on each of the cards used by the defendant was “David Cuan”, which was not the name of any of the true account holders.
The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the access device fraud and a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of 2 years for the aggravated identity theft crime. He will also be ordered to pay restitution. 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, Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, the Bangor Police Department, the Brewer Police Department, the Dexter Police Department, the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department, the Ellsworth Police Department, the Hampden Police Department, the Lincoln Police Department, the Millinocket Police Department, the Newport Police Department, the Pittsfield Police Department, the Rockland Police Department, the Saco Police Department, and the Waterville Police Department.
Lewiston Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Trafficking Heroin, Oxycodone, Crack and Cocaine and Possessing Firearms During the Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: Matthew Mennealy, 34, of Lewiston, Maine, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge George Z. Singal for his involvement in distributing heroin, oxycodone, crack and cocaine and possessing firearms while drug trafficking. Mennealy received a sentence of 84 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for these crimes.
According to Court records, in December 2014, agents stopped a vehicle in which Mennealy was a passenger. The agents subsequently searched the vehicle and located cocaine base, oxycodone pills, heroin, and a loaded 22 caliber handgun which had a live round in the chamber.
Agents later sought and obtained a search warrant for Mennealy’s residence. The subsequent search of the residence revealed a bin hidden in the basement ceiling that contained 46 grams of cocaine base, 79 grams of cocaine, 59 grams of heroin, and 106 oxycodone 30 mg. pills. The agents discovered a loaded pistol secreted under a pillow in the master bedroom and a loaded handgun in the kitchen next to a surveillance system.
Mennealy was charged with the drug trafficking crimes and possessing firearms in relation to those drug crimes in June 2015. Mennealy pleaded guilty to those charges on January 26, 2016.
This case results from a collaborative investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Bangor Resident Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for his Part in 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 David Chaisson, 23, of Bangor was sentenced to five years in prison and a three-year term of supervised released for his part in a crack cocaine distribution conspiracy that stretched from New Haven, Connecticut to Bangor.
According to court records, the defendant illegally distributed crack in Penobscot County and elsewhere between January 2010 and August 2013. He sold and distributed the cocaine base in multiple half gram and gram amounts to others. The half-gram bags were sold for $50 each and the gram bags were sold for $100 each. The defendant was responsible for collecting proceeds from his transactions and returning the money to the person from whom he had obtained the cocaine base. The defendant profited in money and/or cocaine base for the transactions that he engaged in.
The ultimate source for the cocaine base was in the New Haven, Connecticut area and it was transported to the Bangor area by others in the conspiracy including members and associates of the Red Side Guerilla Brimms, a street gang affiliated with the Almighty Blood Nation, a national street gang. In fact, during his involvement in the conspiracy Chaisson allowed gang member Christian Turner to live in his Old Town residence and deal crack from the location. In imposing sentence, the Court held Chaisson responsible for providing a “safe haven” for Turner and other gang members who came to Bangor to distribute the crack.
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 New Haven Connecticut Department of Police Services.
New Haven Gang Member Sentenced to 25 Years for Drug and Gun ConspiraciesRead 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 Christian Turner, a/k/a “P”, 29, formerly of New Haven, Connecticut, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute 280 grams of cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack” and conspiring to violate federal gun laws. He pleaded guilty to the charges on September 2, 2015.
According to court records, the defendant and other conspirators were members of the Red Side Guerilla Brims (“RSGB”), a New Haven based street gang affiliated with the Almighty Blood Nation. Between January 2010 and August 2013, the defendant conspired to acquire more than five kilograms of crack in New Haven and to distribute it in Penobscot County and elsewhere in Maine. He and other conspirators sold it in multiple half-gram and gram amounts for $40 and $80. Drug proceeds were returned to New Haven and maintained in the gang’s “kitty” that was used to finance gang activities.
Over the same period, the defendant obtained 14 handguns through straw purchases at pawnshops in Bangor and Brewer and seven other firearms through private transactions. The defendant paid for the guns with cash and drugs. In all, over 25 firearms were illegally acquired and transported back to New Haven where they were transferred to others.
In imposing the lengthy sentence, Judge Woodcock said: “the message to those people like members of the Red Side Guerilla Brimms is this: stay away from Bangor.”
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Haven Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the New Haven Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Spector and Peter Markle of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut assisted in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
Exeter Man Sentenced to 41 Months for Making False Statements and Pharmacy RobberyRead the Press Release
Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Clifford Sprague, 38, of Exeter, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 41 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release making false statements to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) benefits and for being an accessory after the fact to a pharmacy robbery. The defendant was also ordered to pay $18,042 in restitution. The defendant pled guilty to the charges on September 16, 2015.
According to court records, from March 2011 until March 2012, the defendant received $12,864 in SSDI benefits for himself and his three dependent children. SSDI benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) to people with a disability. In November 2011, the defendant was required to undergo a Continuing Disability Review to determine if he was still disabled. During this review, the defendant told his representative payee to falsely represent that he did not work outside the house and did require someone to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him. In truth and fact, the defendant did not have disabilities that required someone else to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him and did a significant amount of work outside the house including working as a scrap metal dealer, carpenter and woodcutter.
On March 10, 2012, Michael Thompson entered the Rite Aid pharmacy in Guilford, Maine wearing a bandana, a hood, sunglasses and gloves. He jumped over the pharmacy counter, brandished a large hunting style knife and demanded narcotics. A pharmacist opened the locker containing narcotics and Thompson filled his back pack with more than $5000 worth of them. After the robbery, Thompson called Sprague, told him that he had robbed the pharmacy and asked Sprague to pick him up in his car. Sprague did so. Shortly after picking up Thompson, Sprague saw a Somerset County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. Sprague slowed down his vehicle and told Thompson he needed to get out. Thompson got out of Sprague’s vehicle and fled into the woods. Later, Sprague used and sold some of the narcotics Thompson stole. On June 29, 2015, Thompson was sentenced to 82 months in prison for his role in the pharmacy robbery.
The false statements investigation was conducted by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General. The pharmacy robbery investigation was conducted by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
Two Convicted of Crack Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey or Chris Ruge
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jermaine Mitchell, a/k/a “Mello”, 44, formerly of New Haven, Connecticut and Akeen Ocean, a/k/a “A”, “Alex”, 42, of Bangor, were convicted yesterday in U.S. District Court following a six-day jury trial of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams of cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack.”
The trial evidence revealed that between January 2010 and August 2013, the defendants were part of a conspiracy that acquired crack cocaine in New Haven and brought it into the Bangor area where it was distributed through a network of New Haven dealers staying in the Bangor area and local residents. Proceeds of the sales were transported back to New Haven and used to purchase, among other things, more crack cocaine to send to Bangor.
Mitchell faces between ten years and life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine. Ocean faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. They will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. They are the final two defendants charged in an eleven defendant indictment returned in February 2015.
The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Haven Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the New Haven Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Spector and Peter Markle of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut also assisted in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Lewiston Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Drug and Gun OffensesRead 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 Doug Bixby, 25, of Lewiston, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John D. Levy to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pled guilty on February 2, 2016.
According to court records, on August 28, 2014, Bixby was found by police at a Pine Street apartment in Lewiston in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, six boxes of shotgun shells, 24.6 grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale and small plastic baggies. At the time, surveillance cameras were set up in the hallway outside Bixby’s apartment with a live feed displayed on a monitor in his bedroom and he was on state probation for drug trafficking.
The investigation was conducted by the Lewiston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.Steuben Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead 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 Aaron C. Robinson, 51, of Steuben, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court records show that on November 16, 2015, the Maine Warden Service (MWS) found the defendant with a Savage .308 rifle hunting dear with bait from a tree stand in Steuben. The defendant had prior Maine state court felony convictions for terrorizing, violations of conditions of release, possession of a firearm by a felon, burglary and aggravated criminal mischief.
Robinson 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 MWS and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Bath Resident Charged with Attempting to Transfer Obscene Material to a 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 today that Garrett G. Brosnan, 25, of Bath, Maine, was arrested yesterday and charged in U.S. District Court by criminal complaint with attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor.
According to court records, on two occasions earlier this month, Brosnan sent obscene material to an individual who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. In fact, the recipient of the material was an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The defendant will make an initial appearance in the U.S. District Court in Portland today.
He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by HSI.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Maine Man Sentenced to Five Years for Conspiracy to Traffic Oxycodone and CocaineRead 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 Anthony Lacomb, 30, of Biddeford, Maine, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and cocaine. Lacomb pleaded guilty on February 24, 2016.
According to court records, Lacomb was a manager of a group of people who imported oxycodone and cocaine from Rhode Island to Maine in 2014 and 2015. In April 2015, Lacomb was arrested in Scarborough when an undercover agent ordered cocaine and oxycodone from him. When Lacomb and another conspirator arrived to conduct the transaction, they were arrested and about an ounce of cocaine and 35 oxycodone pills were seized.
This case results from a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Scarborough Police Department.
New York Man Sentenced to Two Years for Pharmacy RobberyRead 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 Scott McMahon, 33, of Orchard Park, New York, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to two years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for pharmacy robbery. McMahon pleaded guilty to the charge on February 12, 2016.
According to court records, on September 10, 2014, McMahon entered a Rite Aid pharmacy in Saco, approached the pharmacy counter, told a pharmacy employee “I’m watching you” and then handed the employee a note which read “Give me oxycontin. If you don’t it will get ugly.” A pharmacist put 18 10 mg. Oxycontin pills worth $49 into a plastic bag and handed it to McMahon who absconded with them. Shortly after the robbery, McMahon was tracked by police to a Saco motel located about one-half mile from the pharmacy. His DNA was also found on a sweatshirt recovered by the police that appeared to have been worn by the robber.
The investigation was conducted by the Saco Police Department.
Gardiner Man Pleads Guilty to 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, 23, of Gardiner, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to wire fraud charges.
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 $27,000 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.
The defendant 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 case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State Police, the Brunswick Police Department, and the Monson, Massachusetts Police Department.
Florida Man Sentenced to 15 Months for Interstate StalkingRead the Press Release
Contact: James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Charles Mack, 51, of Clearwater, Florida, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 15 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for interstate stalking. Mack pleaded guilty to the charge on March 3, 2016.
Court records reveal that between January 2014 and May 2015, Mack sent numerous harassing emails and text messages to his ex-wife, who was living in Maine, despite her repeated requests that he stop the communications. Mack’s conduct caused the victim and her family substantial emotional distress.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Falmouth Police Department.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Four Years for Possessing Child PornographyRead 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 William Duffy, 59, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, was sentence today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to four years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. Duffy was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution to one of the victims of sexual abuse. Duffy pleaded guilty to the charge on February 23, 2016.
According to court records, in May 2015, deputies with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant for Duffy’s laptop computer at his Sebago residence. A forensic analysis revealed 4,475 still images and 261 video files depicting minors being sexually abused, many depicting adults abusing prepubescent minors and infants.
In determining sentence, Judge Singal noted that possessing child pornography encourages the sexual abuse of children and elevates the trauma that victims of sexual abuse have already endured: “Simply creating a market for child pornography guarantees that more children will be abused. ... The impact of early childhood abuse never goes away. It’s there all the time. We have a population ... of [people] who live day by day knowing that the videos and photographs of their abuse are not only being distributed but are continuing to fuel sexual gratification of people who view them. And that never ends. ... It’s always there and will be there even after they are dead. That is their legacy to posterity.”
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
Auburn Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from Interstate ShipmentsRead the Press Release
Contact: Benjamin M. Block
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jennifer Leighton, 37, of Auburn, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to theft from interstate shipments of goods.
Court records reveal that between July and September 2015, Leighton was employed by United Parcel Service (UPS) as a customer care representative in the Auburn, Maine, sorting facility. During this period, Leighton stole at least six packages containing prescription narcotic medications that had been shipped via UPS from the Veterans Administration medical facility in Togus, Maine to outpatient veteran clients.
Leighton faces up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.
South Portland Man Sentenced to Almost Four Years on Visa and Bank Fraud, Firearms and False Statement 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 Mukonkole Huge Kifwa, a/k/a “Ndowa Adrien Lushiku,” a/k/a “Adrien Ndowa,” a/k/a “Adrien Lushiku,” a/k/a “Hugue Kifwa,” 30, of South Portland, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to 46 months in prison for visa fraud, possession of firearms by a non-immigrant alien, bank fraud, and making false statements to a government agency. He was also ordered to pay $15,090 in restitution. He was convicted following a jury trial on January 14, 2016.
According to the indictment and trial evidence, the defendant was a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo who fraudulently obtained a diplomatic visa in January 2014 in a false name and by making false representations. He illegally rented a pistol and a rifle in Maine in October and November 2014 under a false name. While living in Maine between September 2014 and March 2015, he committed a series of fraudulent transactions at four financial institutions in the greater Portland area. Finally, on July 14, 2015, he was arrested and falsely told federal agents that he had never been to Canada when, in fact, he previously lived in Canada for many years.
In imposing sentencing Judge Hornby said: “You’re a con man. You’re a fraudster. … One of the primary factors here is my obligation as a federal judge to protect the public.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Portland and Scarborough Police Departments; the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office; with assistance from Canadian authorities.
Norway Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead 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 Stephen Bean, 55, of Norway, Maine pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to possessing firearms after being convicted of a felony offense.
According to court records, on November 21, 2015, Maine Game Wardens encountered Bean hunting with two other men in the Paris, Maine area. The other men were carrying a shotgun and a rifle both belonging to and provided by Bean. The weapons were seized. A search of Bean’s residence on January 7, 2016 resulted in the seizure of another shotgun and rifle. Bean was prohibited from possessing firearms as the result of a 2005 felony conviction for operating after revocation in Maine state court.
Bean 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 case was investigated by the Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
New York Man Sentenced to over 16 Years for Drug Conspiracy and Firearm 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 Wayman Sparrow a/k/a “Blaze”, 25, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 196 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute heroin and crack and firing a firearm while trafficking drugs. Sparrow pleaded guilty to the charges on December 22, 2015.
According to court records, Sparrow was one of a group of New York men who came to Maine in 2011 and proceeded to regularly distribute heroin and crack cocaine from various apartments in Portland. In late 2012, Sparrow had a falling out with the group and began distributing the drugs for himself. In March 2013, Sparrow was distributing heroin from an apartment at the Lafayette Arms Apartment in Portland when the leader of the conspiracy confronted him. Sparrow and this leader engaged in a shootout inside the Lafayette Arms Apartments. In June 2013, Sparrow was arrested in South Portland by state drug agents and found in possession of heroin and the firearm that he used in the shootout.
This case resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Portland Police Department, with valuable assistance provided by Maine State Police Crime Lab.
Ellsworth Man Pleads Guilty to Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead 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 Jeffrey Barnard, 52, of Ellsworth, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court records, on May 31, 2014, Barnard barricaded himself in his home and commenced a stand-off that lasted more than fourteen hours. During the stand-off, Barnard fired a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle. Barnard had previously been convicted of state felony offenses in California and Maine, including a conviction in U.S. District Court for the District of Maine for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Barnard faces up to 10 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 investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine State Police; the Bangor and Ellsworth Police Departments; the Maine Attorney General’s Office; and the Maine State Police Crime Lab.
Alfred Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possessing 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 Kevin Millette, 44, of Alfred, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy Torresen to 10 years in prison to be followed by seven years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. Millette pleaded guilty to the charge on January 28, 2016. He was also ordered to pay a total of $39,000 in restitution to victims depicted in the images he possessed.
According to court records, in November 2015, agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Millette’s residence in Alfred. Millette was present, and agreed to be interviewed after waiving his Miranda rights. He admitted that he had accessed child pornography recently using his phone, and estimated that he had thousands of child pornography images on the phone.
Investigators seized three cell phones and a memory card from the residence. One of the phones was in the process of downloading child pornography images when it was seized. A forensic analysis of the phone and its memory card revealed thousands of digital still images depicting children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as well as a smaller number of child pornography videos. Another memory card was also found to contain child pornography images.
Millette was subject to an enhanced mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment because he had a prior child pornography conviction.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Guilford Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Heroin and OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Contact: Jody Mullis
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Willie Harper, 47, of Guilford, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of distribution of heroin and one count of distribution of oxycodone.
According to court records, on August 13, 2015, Harper met with an undercover law enforcement officer at a grocery store parking lot. Harper provided the undercover officer with heroin in exchange for $500. On August 27, 2015, Harper met with the undercover officer at a Rite-Aid parking lot. Harper provided the undercover officer with ten oxycodone pills in exchange for $500.
Harper faces up to 20 years in prison for each count, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and a lifetime 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 Drug Enforcement Administration and the Greenville, Maine, Police Department.
Portland Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government BenefitsRead 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 United States District Judge D. Brock Hornby sentenced Tammy J. Mc Kenney, 50, of Portland, Maine to 2 years of probation and $26,646.60 worth of restitution for Theft of Public Money.
According to court documents, VA dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members or veterans who died as a result of a service-related injury. A friend of Mc Kenney was the recipient of VA survivor benefits and those benefits were being paid into an account which Mc Kenney held jointly with her friend. When the friend died in 2012, the benefit payments continued to be paid into the joint account. Mc Kenney regularly accessed the account and spent the benefit money until the VA learned of the friend’s death. In all, McKenney received more than $26,000 worth of benefits to which she was not entitled.
The investigation of the case was conducted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General.
Parsonsfield Woman Sentenced for Misappropriation of Postal FundsRead 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 United States District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby sentenced Carol L. Carter, 58, of Parsonsfield, Maine to 2 years’ probation and $2,713.08 worth of restitution for Misappropriation of Postal funds.
According to court documents, between April and September of 2014, while working as a postmaster relief in the East Parsonsfield Post Office, Carol L. Carter stole $2,713.08 worth of postal funds by selling money orders, pocketing the cash, and either not reporting the sale of the money orders until she could cover the shortfall with a subsequent sale or not reporting the sale at all.
When interviewed, Carter admitted selling the money orders without reporting their sale and using the money to pay personal expenses.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General.