District of Maine
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Holden Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0357Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Nicholas
McDonald, 32, of Holden, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possession
with intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to Court records, on April 5, 2013, the defendant was arrested after he fled
from a vehicle that was stopped by law enforcement agents in Holden, Maine. He was found
hiding in the woods nearby. Following his arrest, he was taken to a local hospital for medical
treatment where agents discovered a package of heroin concealed inside his body. In the vehicle,
agents found a safe containing a Sig Sauer Model P226, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, a digital
scale, and items typically used to package illegal drugs. The defendant’s DNA was found on the
safe and firearm.
In 2006, the defendant was convicted in Maine of felony failure to report to serve a
sentence of imprisonment.He faces up to 20 years in prison on each charge, a $2,000,000 fine on the drug charge
and a $500,000 fine on the firearm charge. 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. Drug Enforcement Administration, the
Holden, Maine Police Department, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department, with the
assistance of the Brewer Police Department, the Maine State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Berwick Resident Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery and Firearms ChargesRead 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 Phillip
G. Gage, 46, of Berwick, Maine, pled guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to armed bank
robbery and firearms charges. The charges arise from the August 21, 2013 armed bank robbery
of Citizen’s Bank, in Somersworth, New Hampshire; the October 7, 2013 armed bank robbery of
Peoples United Bank, in Exeter, New Hampshire; the October 19, 2013 armed bank robbery of
Kennebunk Savings in Eliot, Maine; and the October 26, 2013 armed bank robbery of the Ocean
Communities Federal Credit Union in Sanford, Maine. Gage also pled guilty to being a felon in
possession of a firearm and using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, that is,
armed bank robbery.According to court records, during the Citizen’s Bank robbery, Gage displayed a demand
note that read in part: “I have a bomb and a gun if you say a word you will die” and absconded
with $3,132.80. In the People’s United robbery, Gage’s demand note read in part: "There's a
bomb in the trash can, keep it quiet" and absconded with $1,451. During the Kennebunk Savings
robbery, Gage pointed a Ruger Red Hawk .44 Magnum revolver at tellers while, an associate,
Daniel Barry, vaulted over the teller counter and took $7,896 from the teller drawers. During
the Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union robbery, Gage pointed a Dan Wesson .22 caliber
revolver at tellers and absconded with $8,574.
Gage was convicted of the following felonies: robbery in Florida in 1986, assault in
Maine in 1999, possession of a firearm by a felon in Maine in 1999 and attempting to commit a
Class B crime in Maine in 2002.Gage faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both, on each armed bank
robbery charge; a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison on the firearm
possession charge; and a consecutive mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and up to life
in prison for using a firearm during the commission of an armed bank robbery. He will be
sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States
Probation Office.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State
Police, and the Eliot, Kittery, Sanford, Berwick, York, Maine and Exeter, Somersworth, Alton
and Pembroke, New Hampshire police departments. U.S. Attorney Delahanty praised the
cooperation among these law enforcement agencies noting that “these armed bank robberies
were quickly solved because local, state, county and federal law enforcement agencies across
two states worked closely together.”New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 4 Years for 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 today that
Derek Parker, 30, of Gonic, New Hampshire, was sentenced in United States District Court by
Judge George Z. Singal to 4 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for
conspiracy to distribute heroin. Parker pleaded guilty to the offense on November 13, 2013.
In late 2012 and early 2013, law enforcement agents learned that Parker was obtaining
10-20 grams of heroin on an almost daily basis and distributing heroin to customers in Maine and
southern New Hampshire. On April 24, 2103, Parker and thirteen other individuals were indicted
for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Parker was arrested shortly after he was indicted.
This case results from a joint investigation conducted by the United States Drug
Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; New Hampshire and Maine State Police, the York County
Sheriff’s Office; the Rochester, New Hampshire Police Department and the Organized Crime
Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and
dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering
organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
U.S. Attorney Delahanty praised the cooperation among the law enforcement agencies
noting that “these heroin traffickers were brought to justice because local, state, county and
federal law enforcement agencies across two states worked closely together.”Westbrook Man Convicted of 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 Joel
Dudley, 29, of Westbrook, was convicted on February 25 after a two-day jury trial in U.S.
District Court in Portland of possession of child pornography.According to evidence introduced at trial, in August of 2012, law enforcement agents
executed a search warrant at Dudley’s apartment in Westbrook. Two DVDs found in the
apartment were later found to contain numerous child pornography videos.
Dudley will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the
U.S. Probation Office. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to
$250,000.The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations and the Westbrook Police Department.South China Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Veteran Death BenefitsRead 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 Neil
Pelkey, 67, of South China, Maine, pled guilty yesterday to stealing over $53,000 worth of
Death and Indemnity Compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
(“VA”).According to court records, Pelkey stole VA death benefits intended for his mother for
almost 4 years following her death. VA Investigators learned of her death from the Nationwide
Death Match Project, a computerized comparison of VA and Social Security Administration
records. Pelkey collected monthly benefits ranging from $1,154 to $1,215 from January 1, 2010
to September 1, 2013 and used them to pay living expenses.Pelkey faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced
after completion of a pre-sentence report by the United States Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the VA.
Skowhegan Woman Sentenced to 4 Years for Drug TraffickingRead 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 Tara
Pelletier, 33, of Skowhegan, Maine, was sentenced today to four years in prison and three years
of supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute
oxycodone and cocaine. Pelletier pled guilty to the charge on April 30, 2013.Pelletier’s conviction stems from her involvement in a major drug trafficking
organization run by Maurice McCray in central Maine. Court records reveal that between
January and May 2012, Pelletier assisted McCray by obtaining oxycodone and cocaine from
New York and distributing the drugs to customers throughout central Maine. The charge
followed a three-month wiretap investigation that revealed McCray’s organization and the
involvement of Pelletier and others.The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.Sabattus Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing VA Travel BenefitsRead 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 James
Hallowell, 36, of Sabattus, Maine, pled guilty today in United States District Court to stealing
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) travel benefits.
According to court records, the defendant claimed travel benefits for more than two
dozen 200 mile trips from Littleton, Maine in Aroostook County to the Togus V.A. Medical
Center for the purpose of receiving medical treatment. In fact, the defendant lived close to the
VA hospital. Investigators learned that there were no residences at the address in Littleton the
defendant provided on his claims.
Hallowell faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after
completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the VA, Office of the Inspector General.
Lewiston Man Sentenced for Pharmacy RobberyRead 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
Anthony W. Post, 19, of Lewiston, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor
to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for robbing a pharmacy. He pleaded
guilty to that crime on March 12, 2013. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of
$1,587.51.Court records reveal that on January 22, 2013, the defendant entered a CVS in Augusta
wearing sunglasses with a scarf across his face. He presented a note at the pharmacy counter that
demanded oxycodone, claimed he had a gun, and threatened to shoot if his demand was not met.
Candace Eaton and Stephanie McCormick were in a car waiting for Post. McCormick had
planned the robbery and authored the demand note. McCormick was sentenced in December
2013 by Chief U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to three years and ten months in
prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $1,000, and a restitution obligation. Eaton was
the getaway driver and she took a share of the stolen pills. She was sentenced in December 2013
to one and one half years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for being an
accessory after the fact to the robbery of a pharmacy. She was also fined $5,000 and ordered to
pay restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Augusta
Police Department.Fort Kent Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing DrugsRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Roland
Roy, Jr., 51, of Fort Kent, Maine pled guilty today in United States District Court to stealing
Hydrocodone.According to court records, Roy was a pharmacy technician at Northern Maine Medical
Center (NMMC) when NMMC realized that a large quantity of Hydrocodone pills were missing
from its pharmacy. The investigation revealed that Roy ordered large quantities of Hydrocodone
pills and then stole more than $1,000 worth of them. Roy admitted to NMMC’s human
resources director that he had taken a majority of the missing pills.Roy faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced
after completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.Bucksport Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement and False Tax Return ChargesRead 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 Lynn
M. Bowden, 62, of Bucksport, Maine, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to embezzlement and
false tax return charges.According to court documents, Bowden was hired by Merrill Merchants Bank (“Merrill”)
in May 2004. Chittenden Corporation acquired Merrill in 2007. Merrill continued to operate as
a separate unit of Chittenden Corporation until People’s United Bank acquired Chittenden
Corporation in 2008. Bowden maintained her employment through these acquisitions and was
working as a wealth management officer for People’s United Bank when her fraudulent conduct
was discovered in October 2012. The bank terminated her employment on October 26, 2012.
Before she was fired, Bowden managed over 200 trust and investment management accounts.
During the period April 4, 2005, to September 26, 2012, Bowden made 108 deposits and
transfers of customer funds into her personal accounts for a total of $2,990,429.65. All of the
funds came from wealth management accounts that she managed as a wealth management
officer. She used all of the money for herself and for members of her family. Bowden failed to
report to the Internal Revenue Service that she had received this income and that caused a tax
loss of over $750,000 for the period 2007 to 2011.
Bowden faces a sentence of up to 30 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to twice the
gain or loss on the embezzlement charge and up to five years in prison and a fine of up to
$250,000 on the false tax return charges. She will be sentenced after the completion of a
presentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal
Revenue Service—Criminal Investigations.Boothbay Harbor Man Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Transporting Stolen Vehicle and Violating Release ConditionsRead 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 Ronald
Fuller, 63, of Boothbay Harbor, was sentenced today in United States District Court by Judge
George Z. Singal to a total of 5 years and 4 months imprisonment, consisting of 16 months
imprisonment for transporting a stolen vehicle in interstate commerce and an additional 4 years
imprisonment for violating conditions of supervised release. Fuller pleaded guilty to the stolen
vehicle offense on November 8, 2013, and also admitted on that date that he had violated the
conditions of his federal supervised release.According to court documents, in April of 2013, Fuller, a suspect in numerous unsolved
burglaries in Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset, stole a 1971 Chevrolet Malibu from Woolwich.
He drove the stolen car from Maine to Missouri, where he was found and arrested. Court records
show that at the time he committed this new offense, he was on federal supervised release
following a 1998 conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.The investigation was conducted by the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, the St.
Francois County (Missouri) Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Former Sanford Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Michel
D’Angelo a/k/a “Karma,” 34, formerly of Sanford, Maine, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District
Court in Portland to robbing Kennebunk Savings Bank in Berwick, Maine on September 21,
2012.According to court records, D’Angelo entered the bank wearing a women’s sweat suit, a
wig and sunglasses and carrying a purse. He approached the teller counter and demanded cash
stating that he had a bomb in his bag and that he would set it off if the teller pushed any buttons.
He absconded with $1,298.25. D’Angelo was assisted by his girlfriend, Jennica Miller who gave
him her clothing and accessories, drove the getaway car, and placed diversionary 911 emergency
calls to the Berwick police at the time of the robbery falsely claiming that she had been stabbed
by her boyfriend.D’Angelo 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 United States Probation Office. For
her involvement, on January 14, 2014 Miller pled guilty to aiding and abetting the bank
robbery. She awaits sentencing.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Berwick and
Kittery, Maine and Middleborough and New Bedford, Massachusetts police departments. U.S.
Attorney Delahanty praised the cooperation among these law enforcement agencies noting that
“this bank robbery was solved because local and federal law enforcement agencies across two
states worked closely together.”Monroe Woman Convicted of Federal Drug and Firearms 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 Darlene
Ford, 58, of Monroe, was found guilty in U.S. District Court yesterday after a 3 day jury trial of
conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, maintaining a drug involved premises, and aiding and
abetting a felon in possession of a firearm.Court proceedings revealed that in November 2011 a search warrant was executed at the
defendant’s home in Monroe where agents found a large and sophisticated indoor marijuana
growing operation and two rifles. Trial evidence revealed that defendant and other family
members conspired to grow hundreds of marijuana plants at the residence. The defendant also
aided and abetted her husband’s illegal possession of a firearm.Ford faces 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine, or both, on the conspiracy charge;
20 years and a $500,000 fine, or both, on the drug premises charge; and 10 years and a $250,000
fine, or both, on the firearms charge. She also faces forfeiture of her residence. She will be
sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States
Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine
State Police.Former Cumberland Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion ChargesRead 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 Walter
Scott Fox, 56, formerly of Cumberland, Maine, and now of Canton, Georgia, pleaded guilty in
U.S. District Court to bank fraud and tax evasion charges.
According to court documents, from 1995 until 2011, Fox used his position as a loan
officer at Casco Northern Bank and at its successor, KeyBank, to originate or authorize over
$14,000,000 in fraudulent loans and lines of credit using the identities of four real individuals,
without their knowledge or consent. He used over $5,800,000 of the fraudulent proceeds to keep
the loans current and prevent the detection of his scheme. He used almost $8,200,000 for
personal expenses including to pay for his children’s educations and family vacations, and to
support his business, “The Boathouse.” Fox failed to report receiving any of this income to the
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) causing a tax loss of over $1,300,000 between 2006 and 2011.The scheme was discovered in 2012 when KeyBank denied an increase for one of the
credit lines because it did not fit the model for its community development loans. With no funds
available to make payments and keep the scheme afloat, all the fraudulent loans became
delinquent by August, 2012. Fox abruptly resigned his position at KeyBank on September 7,
2012 when a supervisor became concerned about the delinquent loans and made inquiries about
the status of his loan portfolio.Fox faces a sentence of up to 30 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to twice the gain
or loss on the bank fraud charge and up to five years and a fine of up to twice the loss on the tax
evasion charge. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report
by the United States Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS - Criminal
Investigations.Oakland Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing SSI BenefitsRead the Press Release
Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Laura
Mathieu, 50, of Oakland, Maine, pled guilty to stealing more than $1,000 in Supplemental
Security Income (“SSI”) benefits from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). SSI benefits
are paid to, among others, people who are disabled and have low income and few resources.According to court records, Mathieu submitted a false statement to SSA that was used for
determining her eligibility for SSI benefits. Mathieu falsely stated her household was limited to
herself and her children and she denied receiving any other help or financial assistance. In fact,
she was living with her husband who was providing financial assistance. Mathieu knew that she
had to truthfully disclose her living arrangements and the income earned by any member of her
household. She confessed to investigators that she concealed that information because she
believed that the information would disqualify her from receiving SSI benefits.Mathieu faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. She will be
sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the United States Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the Social
Security Administration.Canaan Man Sentenced to 2 Years on Federal Drug and Firearms 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 Richard
Graf, 56, of Canaan, Maine, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge John A.
Woodcock, Jr. to two years in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing an
unregistered short-barreled shotgun and manufacturing marijuana. Graf pled guilty to the
charges on June 10, 2013.Graf’s conviction stems from the April 12, 2011 execution of a search warrant at his
residence by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department. Officers found the short-barreled
shotgun and 11 other firearms in the residence. Officers also recovered over a pound of
processed marijuana and 68 live marijuana plants. Graf acknowledged that he had been selling
the marijuana.The case was investigated by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department and assistance
from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.Scarborough Man Sentenced to 9 Years on Drug and Health Care 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 Adam
Goodwin, 39, of Scarborough, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge
George Singal to 9 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute
oxycodone and health care fraud. Goodwin pled guilty to the charges on July 29, 2013.According to Court records, between February 2010 and November 2010, Goodwin,
Neal Laverriere, and others received over than 150 fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions for more
than 13,000 pills from Dr. John Perry for no medical purpose. The prescriptions were filled at
pharmacies in southern Maine and the oxycodone pills were sold. Goodwin used proceeds from
these illegal sales to finance a nightclub venture in Westbrook that was to be known as
“Dreamers.” The illegal activities ended in November 2010 when Dr. Perry’s offices were
searched. Dreamers never opened. Perry was sentenced on June 21, 2013 to 8 years in
prison. Laverriere was sentenced on December 17, 2013 to 38 months in prison.This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the
United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Biddeford and
Westbrook Police Departments, and the State of Maine Health Care Crimes Unit.Surry Man Sentenced on Federal Kidnapping and Firearm ChargesRead 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 Travis
R. Landry, 29, of Surry, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy
Torresen to 14 years of imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release for
interstate kidnapping and brandishing a firearm in relation to the kidnapping. Landry was also
ordered to pay $5,540 in restitution to the victim of the kidnapping. Landry pled guilty to the
charges on August 21, 2013.According to court records, in mid-April 2013, Landry responded to an advertisement in
Craigslist offering to sell a BMW automobile. On the evening of April 24, Landry met with the
BMW’s owner on Riverside Street in Portland and the two took the car for a test drive. After the
test drive, Landry told the victim to get into the trunk of the car. The victim complied when
Landry displayed a Glock .45 caliber handgun. Landry then drove the BMW south, with the
victim locked inside the trunk, for about eight hours. When he reached Newark, Delaware,
Landry stopped the BMW in a secluded wooded area and released the victim, who ran away and
called local police. On May 7, 2013, sheriff deputies in Granville County, North Carolina
arrested Landry, who was driving the BMW, after a high speed chase. The Glock handgun was
seized from the glove compartment of the BMW. The victim of the kidnapping testified at
today’s sentencing and described the mental anguish and fear that he experienced during the
course of the kidnapping.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Portland
Gorham, Killeen (Texas) and Newark (Delaware) Police Departments; and the Granville County
(North Carolina) Sheriff’s Office.Lewiston Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years on Drug 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
Jermaine Johnson, 40, of Lewiston, Maine, was sentenced on Thursday to 130 months in jail and
6 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Johnson pled
guilty plea to the charges on September 25, 2013.According to Court records, Johnson was stopped by law enforcement agents in Sabattus,
Maine and found to be in possession of 121 oxycodone pills. Agents then seized over $16,000
from Johnson’s residence. Johnson was found responsible for distributing nearly 4,000
oxycodone pills in 2013. At sentencing, the Court determined that Johnson was a career
offender, which subjected him to enhanced penalties.This case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State
Police, and the Lewiston Police Department.Jury Renders Guilty Verdicts in Township 37 Marijuana Grow CaseRead the Press Release
Contact: Joel Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Malcolm
French, 52, of Enfield; Rodney Russell, 50, of South Thomaston; Kendall Chase, 57, of
Bradford; and Haynes Timberland, Inc., a Maine corporation, were found guilty on Friday
evening by a federal jury sitting in Bangor of federal offenses arising out of the September 22,
2009 seizure of 2,943 marijuana plants in Township 37, Washington County. French, Russell
and Chase were found guilty of conspiracy to manufacture over 1000 marijuana plants. French
and Russell were found guilty of manufacturing over 1,000 marijuana plants. French, Russell and
Haynes Timberland, Inc. were found guilty of managing and controlling property used to
manufacture marijuana. French and Russell were found guilty of harboring illegal aliens. The
jury also determined that French’s interest in Haynes Timberland, Inc., Township 37, a
warehouse compound in Township 31, and a hunting camp in LaGrange facilitated the drug
offenses.French and Russell face from 10 years to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine on the
conspiracy and manufacturing charges; Chase faces up to life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine
on the conspiracy charge; French and Russell face up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine
for managing and controlling property used to manufacture marijuana; and French and Russell
face up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for harboring illegal aliens. French and Haynes
Timberland, Inc. also face the forfeiture of their property that facilitated the crimes. The
defendants will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S.
Probation Office.The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Internal Revenue
Service-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of
Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.Auburn Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms 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
Kenneth Sales, 23, of Auburn, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to possessing a firearm
after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.According to court records, on May 6, 2013, Auburn police officers investigating a report
of a possible stabbing went to a residence where they found the alleged victim sitting in a car
with Sales. As Sales got out of the car, officers saw a Hi-Point .45 caliber ACP pistol on the
driver’s seat where he had been sitting. Sales later admitted possessing the gun. Sales was
prohibited from possessing firearms at the time because he had been convicted of a misdemeanor
crime of domestic violence in a Vermont state court.Sales faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. He will be
sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the United States Probation Office.The investigation was conducted by the Auburn Police Department and the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.Mexican National Sentenced to 10 Months for Conspiring to Produce False Identification DocumentsRead 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 Roman
Garcia-Lopez, also known as Romeo Bartalon, 57, a Mexican citizen who formerly lived in
Portland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy Torresen to 10 months
imprisonment for conspiring to produce and transfer false Permanent Resident cards and Social
Security cards. Garcia-Lopez pleaded guilty to the charge on September 25, 2013.According to court records, Garcia-Lopez sold false Permanent Resident cards and Social
Security cards to individuals in the Portland area who were in the United States illegally.
Individuals seeking to buy the false documents would provide biographical information, and
Garcia-Lopez would take their photograph with his telephone and forward the picture and the
information to another individual who actually created the fraudulent documents. The documents
would later arrive in Maine via the U.S. Postal Service from the Atlanta, Georgia area.It was disclosed during the sentencing hearing that Garcia-Lopez was ordered removed
from the United States in 1997 but remained in the country. Judge Torresen ordered that after
Garcia-Lopez completes serving his sentence, he is to be turned over to immigration authorities
for removal proceedings.The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations.Kittery Man Pleads Guilty to Structuring Cash TransactionsRead the Press Release
Contact: Julia M. Lipez
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that
John W. Price, 58, of Kittery, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to structuring
over $157,000 in cash transactions to evade federal cash transaction reporting requirements.
Under federal law, financial institutions that dispense more than $10,000 in cash to a
customer are required to report the transaction to the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS). Structuring occurs when a customer breaks up cash withdrawals into multiple increments
of less than $10,000, to avoid the cash transaction reporting requirement.
Court records reveal that between 2008 and 2010, Price, the owner of J.P.’s Shellfish, a
seafood distributor in Eliot, Maine, directed his employees who withdrew cash from the J.P.’s
Shellfish business bank account to pay for lobsters not to withdraw more than $10,000 in cash at
any one time, so as to avoid the cash transaction reporting requirement.Price faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the 12 counts. He will
be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States
Probation Office.The charges are the result of a collaborative investigation conducted by the IRS, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement, and the Knox
County Sheriff’s Office.New Hampshire Resident Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that
Marvin Eugene Ansteth, Jr. 40, of Somersworth, New Hampshire pled guilty in U.S. District
Court in Portland to armed bank robbery charges. The charges arise from the armed bank
robberies of Peoples United Bank in Exeter, New Hampshire on October 7, 2013; of Meredith
Village Savings Bank in Alton, New Hampshire on October 10, 2013; and of Kennebunk
Savings in Eliot, Maine on October 19, 2013.According to court records, Ansteth was the getaway driver for the three armed bank
robberies. Peoples United Bank was robbed of $1,451; Meredith Village Savings Bank was
robbed of $9,740 and Kennebunk Savings was robbed of $7,896.Ansteth faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both, for each robbery. He
will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the United States
Probation Office.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State
Police, and the Eliot, Kittery, Sanford, Berwick, York, Maine and Exeter, Somersworth, Alton
and Pembroke, New Hampshire police departments. U.S. Attorney Delahanty praised the
cooperation among these law enforcement agencies noting that "these armed bank robberies
were quickly solved because local, state, county and federal law enforcement agencies across
two states worked closely together."Windham Man Sentenced to Three Years on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Paul
Liming, 65, of Windham, was sentenced yesterday in United States District Court by Judge
Nancy Torresen to three years of imprisonment and ten years of supervised release for
possession of child pornography. Liming pled guilty to the charge on January 4, 2013.According to court records, in January 2011, Liming brought a computer to the Best Buy
store in South Portland, Maine and asked for assistance in recovering data from its hard drive. A
Best Buy technician discovered several files that appeared to contain child pornography. A
forensic examination conducted on the computer by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
pursuant to a search warrant revealed over 600 image files and 200 video files containing child
pornography. Although Liming had no criminal history and was retired from a career as an
executive, the Court imposed the three year sentence because of the seriousness of the crime
which causes the children depicted to be repeatedly victimized.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched
in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual
exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child
Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local
resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the
Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe
Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.The investigation was conducted by the FBI.
South Portland Man Sentenced to over Thirteen Years for Armed Robbery 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 today
Joseph Morrill, 24, of South Portland, Maine was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by
Judge D. Brock Hornby to 161 months in prison and five years of supervised release for federal
armed robbery and federal firearms offenses. Morrill pleaded guilty to the charges on August
19, 2013.
Court records reveal that a Glock pistol and a badge belonging to a law enforcement
detective were stolen from a motor vehicle in South Portland, Maine on September 21, 2012. On
April 17, 2013, Morrill, who was driven by Michael Platts, used the stolen pistol to steal
approximately $182 in cash during a robbery of the Cumberland Farms store located on Cottage
Road in South Portland, a business engaged in interstate commerce.
On April 22, 2013, Morrill used the same pistol to steal approximately $5,612 during a
robbery of the TDBank on Market Street in South Portland. On June 14, 2013, the execution of a
federal search warrant at a Broadway residence in South Portland resulted in the stolen handgun
being recovered.
Seven years of Morrill’s sentence was imposed as a consecutive mandatory minimum for
his use and carrying the stolen pistol during and in relation to the TD Bank robbery, a crime of
violence. Following his incarceration, Morrill will be on federal supervised release for five
years.The investigation was conducted by the South Portland Police Department and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.Oxford County Man Sentenced to over Two Years on Federal Counterfeit ChargeRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today
Nation Miller, 23, of Mexico, Maine was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge D.
Brock Hornby to 20 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to
make counterfeit currency. Miller pleaded guilty to the charges on August 19, 2013.According to court records, on July 3, 2012, Miller conspired with two accomplices to
make counterfeit $50 bills. The next day, Miller and his accomplices passed counterfeit bills in
Mexico and Old Orchard Beach, Maine.The investigation of this case was conducted by the Mexico and Old Orchard Beach
Police Departments and the United States Secret Service.Lewiston Man Sentenced to over Six Years for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today
Brunel Constant, a/k/a “Jamal”, 34, of Lewiston, Maine was sentenced in U.S. District Court
by Judge Nancy Torresen on Friday to 74 months in prison and three years of supervised release
for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Constant was convicted of the charge on May
21, 2013, following a two day jury trial.According to trial testimony, in August 2011, Constant, a convicted felon, was found
sleeping on the porch of an apartment building to which he had no connection. When residents
there approached him, an argument ensued and Constant threatened to return with a firearm.
Moments later, Constant returned to the apartment building and fired two bullets into one of the
apartments.The investigation leading to the conviction was conducted by the Lewiston Police
Department, the Central Maine Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives.Windham Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Pharmacy RobberyRead 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 U.S.
District Court Judge George Z. Singal sitting in Portland yesterday sentenced Derek Jackson,
38, to two years in federal prison for robbing the Hannaford pharmacy in March of this year.Court records reveal that on March 23, 2013, at approximately 2:11pm, Jackson
approached the pharmacy counter of the Windham, Maine Hannaford and demanded a large
amount of Dilaudid, a scheduled narcotic opioid pain medication commonly known in generic
form as hydromorphone. At the time of the robbery, Jackson had a knife tucked in the waistband
of his pants which he displayed to pharmacy employees in the course of the robbery. Jackson
left the pharmacy with 250 hydromorphone pills and swallowed them within an hour of
committing the robbery.In imposing the sentence, the judge stated that he took into account the fact that Jackson
suffers from a chronic disease and was attempting to end his life by ingesting the drugs that he
stole from the pharmacy. Following his incarceration, Jackson will be on federal supervised
release for three years.The investigation was conducted by the Windham Police Department, the Cumberland
County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Portland Man Sentenced to 14½ Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography and Violating Release ConditionsRead 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
Timothy Majeroni, 46, of Portland, was sentenced today in United States District Court by
Judge George Z. Singal to a total of 14½ years imprisonment, consisting of 12½ years
imprisonment for possessing child pornography and an additional 2 years imprisonment for
violating conditions of supervised release. Majeroni was also sentenced to a lifetime of
supervised release following his release from prison. Majeroni was convicted of possessing
child pornography after a two-day jury trial in September of last year, and Judge Singal found
after a hearing today that he had also violated conditions of release imposed as part of a prior
federal prosecution.According to evidence introduced at trial, in November of 2012, Majeroni’s federal
probation officer discovered a laptop computer in his apartment. The laptop was later found to
contain numerous child pornography images. The evidence at trial also established that
Majeroni had pleaded guilty in 2001 to possession of child pornography. Court records also
show that Majeroni pleaded guilty in 2008 to failing to register as a sex offender, for which he
was still on supervised release at the time of his most recent offense.The investigation was conducted by the United States Probation Office and the United
States Secret Service.District of Maine U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects over $2.5 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions for U.S. Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2013Read the Press Release
Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced
today that the District of Maine collected $2,534,846.68 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal
Year 2013. Of this amount, $1,360,891.94 was collected in criminal actions and $1,173,954.74
was collected in civil actions.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Thursday that the Justice Department
collected approximately $8.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept.
30, 2013. The more than $8 billion in collections in FY 2013 represents nearly three times the
appropriated $2.76 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating
divisions in that same period.“The department’s enforcement actions help to not only ensure justice is served, but also
deliver a valuable return to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder. “It is critical
that Congress provide the resources necessary to match the department’s mounting caseload. As
these figures show, supporting our federal prosecutors is a sound investment.”
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are
responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal
debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of
certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is
paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime
Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance
programs.The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the
United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines
imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or
environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies,
including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services,
Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Maine, working with partner
agencies and divisions, collected $462,493 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2013. Forfeited
assets are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund and are used to restore
funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.Dresden Man Sentenced to over Two Years in Prison for Conspiring to Commit Pharmacy RobberyRead 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
Nicholas Alexander, 23, of Dresden, Maine, was sentenced today in United States District Court
by Judge George Z. Singal to 28 months imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised
release, for conspiring to rob a Walgreens pharmacy in Bath. Alexander pleaded guilty to the
charge on September 24, 2013.According to court records, Alexander and other individuals participated in the June 14,
2013 robbery of the Bath Walgreens. Alexander handed a note to a pharmacist that read, "You
have 20 seconds to give me all your Oxycodone 15mg tablets and 30s or I will blow your
[expletive] brains out." As a result, Alexander was given a bag containing 11 bottles of
Oxycodone tablets. Alexander was later found at a motel in Wiscasset, where investigators
found almost 600 Oxycodone tablets. In a subsequent interview, Alexander admitted robbing the
store, using some of the stolen tablets, and selling others.The investigation was conducted by the Bath Police Department, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
United States Attorney Delahanty praised the cooperative actions of the local, county, state and
federal agencies. "The United States Attorney's Office has put a special emphasis on the
investigation and prosecution of pharmacy robberies in the State of Maine. I am pleased that the
cooperative effort of law enforcement at all levels resulted in the successful conclusion of this
case."Missouri Man Sentenced to over Eight Years for Interstate StalkingRead the Press Release
Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257Portland, Maine: The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Benjamin Lee,
52, of Springfield, Missouri, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to
100 months in prison for interstate stalking. Lee was found guilty of the charges on September
17, 2013, following a jury trial.According to testimony presented at the five-day trial, Lee traveled across state lines
from Missouri to Maine with the intention of killing, injuring, harassing and surveilling his then-
estranged wife and her new boyfriend, placing them both in reasonable fear of death or serious
bodily injury.The evidence showed that between April and May 2012 Lee sent several threatening e-
mails; and later communicated verbal threats to kill the couple in Maine when speaking to his
friends and family between July and September 2012. On September 6, 2012, the couple
received a call from Lee’s sister who had not heard from him and believed he may be traveling
to Maine to cause the couple harm. Lee arrived outside the couple’s Limerick, Maine home at
dusk on September 7, 2012 resulting in a series of 911 calls reporting that Lee was presently
driving past their house in a white Cadillac and may have a gun.A short time later, Maine State Police troopers conducted a search of the white Cadillac
Lee was operating about four miles from the couple’s home and located, among other items, five
firearms, three of which were loaded, over 200 rounds of ammunition, a machete, duct tape,
rope, a roll of plastic sheeting, trash bags, an empty 10 gallon cooler and handcuffs.The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maine State
Police and the York County Sheriff’s Office.