District of Maine

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Phillip
G. Gage, 47, of Berwick, Maine, was sentenced to 22 years in prison and five years of supervised release for armed bank robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and using a firearm during the commission of a bank robbery. He was also ordered to pay $20,054 in restitution. 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 pled guilty to the charges on March
4, 2014.

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 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. As a result, Gage received an enhanced sentence as an armed career criminal.

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.”

Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Michel
D’Angelo, 35, of Sanford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy
Torresen to 15 years in prison and three years of supervised release for bank robbery. D’Angelo pleaded guilty on February 13, 2014.

Court records reveal that on September 21, 2012, D’Angelo stole about $1,300 from
Kennebunk Savings Bank in Berwick. D’Angelo robbed the bank disguised as a woman and wearing a sweat suit, wig, sunglasses and a purse. He also used white surgical tape to cover a
“Real Deal” tattoo on his fingers and a pink scarf to conceal a large “Karma” tattoo on his neck.
He approached the teller counter, verbally demanded cash and said that he had a bomb in his bag and would set it off if the teller pushed any buttons.

D’Angelo was subject to an enhanced sentence as a career offender for prior violent crime convictions.

The investigation was conducted by the Berwick and Kittery Police Departments and the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Kyle
Desmarais, 33, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court before
Judge Nancy Torresen to aiding and abetting pharmacy robbery.

According to court records and evidence introduced at the plea hearing, on February 13, 2014, Desmarais drove Billy Schildroth to a Rite Aid pharmacy located in Old Orchard Beach, so that Schildroth could rob the pharmacy. Schildroth absconded with Oxycontin (oxycodone) and Suboxone (buprenorphine) after putting his hand inside his coat and telling the pharmacist that he had “a gun and five bullets” and not to alert anyone or he would shoot the pharmacist in the face.  After the robbery, Desmarais drove Schildroth away knowing that he had committed the robbery.

On June 3, 2014, Schildroth was indicted for the pharmacy robbery and awaits trial. An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Desmarais faces up to 20 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Old
Orchard Beach Police Department.

Contact: Julia M. Lipez
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Adam
White, 27, of Falmouth, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Court records reveal that on February 12, 2013, law enforcement officers stopped
White’s vehicle in Portland in connection with a drug trafficking investigation and found about
400 grams of cocaine in the trunk of the car, and a handgun and loaded magazine near the driver’s seat. Officers searched White’s home in Falmouth later that day pursuant to a search warrant and found about 3 kilograms of cocaine, over $13,000 in cash, other items consistent with drug trafficking, and a loaded handgun.

White faces a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine on the drug charge, and a minimum of five years and up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearms 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 Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration, the Maine State Police, and the Portland, South Portland, and
Falmouth Police Departments.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ryan
Ellis, 33, formerly of Greenbush, Maine pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in
Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust” and to possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.

According to court records, between April and December 2011, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed large quantities of MDPV in Penobscot, Aroostook and Knox counties. The defendant obtained MDPV from other conspirators, processed and repackaged it, and distributed it to other conspirators for sale to drug addicts. On November 22, 2011, he was found in possession of two handguns and a shotgun and nearly 400 grams of MDPV.

On the drug count, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. On the firearms count, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison which must be served consecutive to the drug sentence and a $250,000 fine. The defendant will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation
Office.

Co-defendants Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a/k/a “Beth,” Steven Orosco, a/k/a “Pablo,” Alan
Alan Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ,” Daniel Hines, Adam Hathorn, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” all of
Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff and Michael Tardiff, a/k/a
“Bub,” of Old Town, Maine; and Gina Nelson, of Bradley, Maine; previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Brewer and Bangor Police Departments.

Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jennifer
Dowling, 33, of Pittston, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge
John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 31 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for distribution of oxycodone. Dowling pleaded guilty to the offense on January 27, 2014.

According to court records, on May 9, 2012, the defendant sold over 30 oxycodone pills to a confidential informant working with law enforcement. During sentencing, the court noted that prior to her arrest on this charge, Ms. Dowling was a significant drug trafficker in the
Augusta area.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the
Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact: Julia M. Lipez
James W. Chapman, Jr.
Assistant United States Attorneys
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that brothers, Guillermo Fuentes, 38, of Westbrook, Maine and Hector Fuentes, 40, of Waterville, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to knowingly hiring 10 or more undocumented aliens in a 12-month period and making false statements to federal agents.

Court records reveal that the employment charge relates to hiring practices at the Fajita
Grill restaurant in Westbrook. The false statement charge arises out of post-arrest statements the defendants made to law enforcement officers in September 2011 regarding the hiring practices at the Fajita Grill and at the Cancun Mexican Restaurant in Waterville, in which they falsely stated, among other things, that federally required documentation regarding the immigration status of employees had been properly completed.

The defendants face up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. They will be sentenced after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation
Office.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Labor, Office of
Inspector General.

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Carole
J. Swan, 56, of Chelsea, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor by Chief
Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 87 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for extortion, federal tax fraud and federal worker’s compensation fraud. She was also fined
$125,000 and ordered to pay over $106,000 in restitution. On July 26, 2013, Swan was convicted on the fraud charges following a three week jury trial. On September 17, 2013, Swan was convicted on the extortion charges following a one week jury trial.

According to the court records and trial evidence, Swan was an elected member of the
Chelsea Board of Selectmen. Between January 2010 and February 2011, she used her position to extort and attempt to extort $20,000 from Frank Monroe Construction, a local construction company that plowed, salted and sanded Chelsea’s roads. She also filed false federal income tax returns for tax years 2006 through 2010 in which she under-reported about $650,000 in gross receipts and sales for her business, Swan Construction, thereby evading about $145,000 in income and self-employment taxes. She also fraudulently obtained over $75,000 in worker’s compensation benefits, by failing to report, among other things, her ownership of, and work for, Swan Construction and a harness horse racing business, and by under-reporting the hours she worked as a selectman and assessor.

In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Woodcock found that Swan obstructed justice by repeatedly, deliberately and willfully lying throughout the proceedings. Chief Judge Woodcock also noted that Swan breached her duties of honesty and trust to Chelsea and Frank Monroe and described Monroe as “a local hero” for bringing Swan to justice.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue
Service – Criminal Investigations Division; the Department of Homeland Security, Office of
Inspector General ("OIG"); the U.S. Department of Labor, OIG, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the U.S. Postal Service, OIG; and the Kennebec County Sheriff's
Office.

Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Maureen Hammond, 50, of Milford, Maine, was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison and three years of supervised released for conspiring to make false statements during the purchase of firearms. Hammond pled guilty in June 2013.

Court documents reveal that on October 9, 2012, Hammond purchased three handguns in two transactions at Jimi’s Trading Center in Brewer, Maine. At the time of the sales, she completed a federally-required form claiming to be the actual buyer, when, in fact, she was buying the handguns for a man she knew to be a drug dealer and paying with money he had given to her. The handguns have never been recovered.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Paul
Ford, 33, of Monroe, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Chief Judge
John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 46 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and manufacturing marijuana. Ford pleaded guilty to the offenses on
May 7, 2013.

According to court records, from approximately 2006 until November of 2011, the defendant and other family members operated a large and sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation out of the defendant’s parents’ home in Monroe, Maine. The defendant also operated a separate indoor marijuana growing operation at his residence in Swanville, Maine.

The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police.

Contact: James M. Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ronald
H. Trecartin, 31, of Linneus, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to 10 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. He pled guilty on November 6, 2013.

According to court records, in May 2012, a law enforcement agent learned that videos containing child pornography were being shared over a file sharing network from a computer located at Trecartin’s residence in Linneus. On September 26, 2012, agents executed a search warrant at the residence and seized two laptop computers and other media and electronic devices belonging to Trecartin. A forensic examination of the items seized revealed that three contained child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations.

Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jeffrey
Burnham, 41, of Arundel, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge George
Z. Singal to theft by a bank officer.

According to court records, from about February of 2011 to February of 2012, Burnham, who was a Vice President with TD Bank, stole about $240,000 from the bank. Burnham used his corporate credit card to charge personal expenditures at gentlemen’s clubs located in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida and then submitted false expense reports and other false information that caused the bank to pay for those personal expenditures. Burnham also gave TD
Bank gift cards that were designed to be given as gifts to TD Bank clients instead to employees of the gentlemen’s clubs.

Burnham faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Stacey
A. Backman, 41, of Brunswick, Maine, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to federal program and tax fraud charges.

According to court records, the defendant was a fund accountant at Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI). CEI is a private, nonprofit, charitable Community Development Corporation and
Community Development Financial Institution based in Wiscasset, Maine that received more than $10,000 in federal funds each year. From 2010 to January 2014, the defendant embezzled over $300,000 from CEI and failed to report the embezzled income on her federal income tax returns. CEI learned of the embezzlement in January 2014 and terminated the defendant’s employment.

The defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the federal program fraud charge and up to 3 years in prison and a $100,000 fine on the federal tax fraud charge. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation
Office.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG); the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division; the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, OIG; and the Wiscasset Police Department.

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Marshall Swan, 56, of Chelsea, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor by
Chief Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. to 2¾ years in prison and 1 year of supervised release for federal tax fraud. He was also fined $40,000.

According to the indictment and trial evidence, Marshall Swan and his wife, former
Chelsea selectman, Carole Swan, filed false federal income for tax years 2006 through 2010 in which they under-reported about $650,000 in gross receipts and sales for their business, Marshall
Swan Construction, thereby evading about $145,000 in income and self-employment taxes.

In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Woodcock found that shortly after the federal indictment, the defendant paid two individuals $200 to slash truck tires and to shoot out the windows of two excavators owned by Frank Monroe who had been a central witness in the investigation. The defendant also told them to hit his brother for comments he made to a reporter following the indictment. The two individuals stole a generator and two chainsaws from the defendant’s brother. In imposing sentence, Chief Judge Woodcock noted that tax fraud crimes are serious crimes and that these crimes were a way of life for the defendant. He also noted that intimidating witnesses strikes at the heart of the judicial process and threatens the foundation of our judicial system.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations
Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Department Homeland Security, Office of
Inspector General ("OIG"); the U.S. Department of Labor, OIG, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; the U.S. Postal Service, OIG; and the Kennebec County Sheriff's
Office.

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Carl E.
Johnson, 51, currently of Old Orchard Beach and formerly of Bailey Island, Maine, was sentenced in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy Torresen to 2½ years in prison and five years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. Johnson pled guilty on September 5, 2013.

According to court records, the defendant used peer-to-peer software to access and make available for sharing images and videos of child pornography. Federal agents discovered some of the child pornography online, traced it to Johnson’s computer, seized and examined the computer, and found over 290 images and over 50 videos of child pornography.

In imposing sentence, Judge Torresen observed that child pornography crimes are very serious. Children are tortured to create child pornography and they are humiliated by the fact that it persists and circulates. People, like Johnson, who possess child pornography fuel the demand for its creation.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland
Security Investigations.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Matthew Tardiff, 27, formerly of Old Town, Maine was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to 4¾ years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.” The defendant pled guilty on January 27, 2014.

According to court records, Tardiff and 13 other members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. He obtained MDPV from other members of the conspiracy and traded, sold or otherwise distributed it from his Old Town residence using cellular telephones and other means of communication.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Old Town Police Department.

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Stephen Scott Pennington, 41, of Hartford, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Singal to 6½ years in prison and five years of supervised release for possession of child pornography. Pennington pled guilty on November 25, 2013.

According to court records, the defendant used peer-to-peer software to access and make available for sharing images and videos of child pornography. Federal agents discovered some of the child pornography online, traced it to Pennington’s computer, seized and examined the computer, and found over 100 images and over 400 videos of child pornography.

In imposing sentence, Judge Singal observed that child pornography crimes are one of the worst types because they victimize defenseless children, the images are sickening, and the defendant did not view it as a problem and made his collection available for sharing on the
Internet. The judge expressed his concern that the defendant still did not get it.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland
Security Investigations.

Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Hamadi Hassan, 26, of Portland, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute crack cocaine.

According to court records, between November 2010 and February 2012, the defendant was the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that acquired cocaine in Boston and distributed crack cocaine in the greater Portland area. The defendant took orders for crack cocaine from customers and co-conspirators, transported cocaine from Boston to Maine, and prepared, packaged and delivered crack cocaine to his customers and co-conspirators.

Hassan faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the
U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the
Portland Police Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State Police and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force, which is a task force comprised of agents and officers from FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Homeland
Security, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Portland and Biddeford Police
Departments.

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Marvin Eugene Ansteth, Jr. 41, of Somersworth, New Hampshire was sentenced today in U.S.
District Court to 4¾ years in prison and three years of supervised release for armed bank robbery. He was also ordered to pay $19,087 in restitution. The charges arose 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. Ansteth pled guilty to the charges on
January 16, 2014.

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.

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.”

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Steven
Chartier, 58, of Poland, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy
Torresen to three years of probation with six months of home detention for submitting false claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for travel benefits. He was also ordered to pay $10,448.06 in restitution. Chartier pled guilty to the crime on September 26, 2013.

According to court records, the defendant claimed travel benefits for 64 260 mile trips from Limestone, Maine, in Aroostook County, to the Togus V.A. Medical Center, in Gardiner, for the purpose of receiving medical treatment. In fact, the defendant lived in Poland, Maine, which is about 40 miles from the VA hospital. As a result, the defendant received $10,448.06 more than he was entitled to for travel.

In fashioning the sentence, Judge Torresen observed that fraud was not new to the defendant and stated that she would have jailed him but for the cost to the taxpayers given his deteriorated, wheelchair-bound, medical condition.

The case was investigated by the VA, Office of Inspector General.

Contact: James M. Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Derek
Less, 26, of Richmond, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to time served, up to six months of community confinement and three years of supervised release for stealing copper from facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in
Togus, Maine. He was also ordered to pay $2,590.30 in restitution. The defendant has been detained since his arrest on November 19, 2013.

According to court records, in July and August 2012, the defendant stole over 400 pounds of copper wire and pipe fittings from the VA and sold them to Clark’s Cars & Parts, Inc. to support his drug addiction.

The investigation was conducted by the VA’s Criminal Investigation Division, Office of
Inspector General.

Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Biniam
Tsegai, 26, of Portland, pled guilty today in United States District Court before Judge Nancy
Torresen to conspiring to distribute cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine.

According to court records, in 2011 and 2012, the defendant was part a drug trafficking conspiracy that acquired cocaine in Boston and distributed crack cocaine in the greater Portland area. He prepared crack cocaine for sale and distribution after it had been brought to Maine and he took orders for and delivered user-level quantities of crack cocaine to customers.

He faces up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the
Portland Police Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State Police and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force, which is a task force comprised of agents and officers from FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Department of Homeland
Security, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Portland and Biddeford Police
Departments.

Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Fredrick W. Butler, Jr., 44, of Lewiston, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge
Nancy Torresen to 20 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for transporting child pornography. Butler pled guilty to the offense on December 20, 2013.

According to court records, in April of last year, Butler sent an email message to an individual in Oregon attaching 19 images, most of which depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Court records also show that in 2001, Butler was convicted in federal court for receiving child pornography; in 1995, he was convicted in state court of gross sexual assault. As a result of his prior convictions, Butler was subject to an enhanced sentence of at least 15 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Richard
A. Kincaid, III, of Waterbury, Connecticut pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to distributing cocaine.

According to court records, on March 25, 2014, the defendant drove from Connecticut to a residence in Bangor to deliver seven ounces of cocaine and to collect about $3,000 from his customer for a prior drug delivery. He was arrested a week later when he returned to Bangor.

The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine
Drug Enforcement Agency.

Contact: F. Todd Lowell
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Frank
J. McConnell, III, a/k/a “Frank Thompson,” 23, of Rangeley, Maine, was sentenced today in
U.S. District Court in Bangor to almost four years (46 months) of imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $500 fine for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The defendant pleaded guilty on November 13, 2013.

Court records reveal that on July 13, 2013, law enforcement officers responded to a complaint that an intoxicated man was at a home in Dallas Plantation shooting a gun. When the officers arrived, the defendant was standing outside the home firing a handgun toward the woods. The defendant was intoxicated and prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions for domestic violence assault and a bail violation.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives, the Rangeley Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine
State Police, and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Contact: Michael J. Conley
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jason
Campbell, 39, of Portland, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jon D. Levy to pharmacy robbery.

According to court records and evidence introduced at the plea hearing, on April 11, 2014, Campbell entered the CVS pharmacy, located on Congress Street in Portland, carrying a backpack. As he approached the pharmacy counter, he opened the backpack, said he had a
“bomb,” displayed what appeared to be a soda bottle with wires attached to it, and told the pharmacist to evacuate the CVS and to close the gate in front of the store. He demanded the opioid pain medications Duragesic (fentanyl), demerol and dilaudid and absconded after being given the narcotics. He disposed of his outer clothing and the backpack in a nearby trash can. He was located a short time later in the vicinity of his Portland residence and some of the stolen narcotics were recovered. The investigation revealed that the bomb was not an explosive device.

Campbell faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Portland Police Department and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Gina
Nelson, 31, of Bradley, Maine and Michael Tardiff, a/k/a “Bub”, 54, of Old Town, Maine pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or
“monkey dust”.

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. The defendants obtained
MDPV from other members of the conspiracy and traded, sold or otherwise distributed it using cellular telephones and other means of communication.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. They will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The defendants are two of fourteen defendants charged by indictment as part of the conspiracy. An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Co-defendants Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a/k/a “Beth,” Steven Orosco, a/k/a “Pablo,” Alan
Alan Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ,” Daniel Hines, Adam Hathorn, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” all of
Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; and Matthew Tardiff, of Old Town, Maine; previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bangor Police Department.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Elizabeth Mikotowicz, a/k/a “Beth,” 27, and Steven Orosco, a/k/a “Pablo,” 23, both of
Bangor, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. The defendants obtained
MDPV from other members of the conspiracy and traded, sold or otherwise distributed it using cellular telephones and other means of communication.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. They will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Defendants are two of fourteen defendants charged by criminal complaint as part of the conspiracy. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Co-defendants Alan Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ,” Daniel Hines, Adam Hathorn, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” all of Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; and Matthew Tardiff, of
Old Town, Maine; previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bangor Police Department.

Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Stewart Thornton Reed, 50, of Virginia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge
George Z. Singal to 12½ years in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for transporting child pornography. Reed pled guilty to the offense on December 20, 2013.

According to court records, in September of last year, Reed sent an email message to an undercover email account of a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Attached to the email were image files depicting a young girl displaying her genitals. When the agent asked the girl’s age, Reed replied that she was two years old. Reed was arrested near
Fredericksburg, Virginia in October. A cell phone in Reed’s possession when he was arrested was later found to contain a number of images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including the images that he had sent to the agent in September.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations.

Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Nicholas Schwarz, 26, of South Portland, Maine was sentenced in United States District Court by Judge George Z. Singal to more than four years (53 months) in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute heroin. Schwarz pleaded guilty to the offense on
May 14, 2013.

According to court records, from 2011 until February 2013, the conspirators, led by
Mitch Merritt, obtained kilogram quantities of heroin in Lawrence, Massachusetts that was distributed to customers in Maine and New Hampshire by Merritt, Schwarz, and others. Numerous home burglaries and shoplifting crimes were committed by customers to pay for that heroin.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Hampshire and Maine State Police; the York County Sheriff’s Office; and the
Rochester, New Hampshire Police Department; and results from the ongoing effort of 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.

Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Mitch
Merritt, 30, of Rochester, New Hampshire and Scott Woodman, 29, of Farmington, New
Hampshire were sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge George Z. Singal for their involvement in a heroin distribution conspiracy. Merritt was sentenced to over 12½ years (151 months) in prison and five years of supervised release. Woodman was sentenced to over 5 years
(65 months) in prison and three years of supervised release. The defendants pleaded guilty to the offense on May 7, 2013.

According to court records, from 2011 until February 2013, Merritt led a group of individuals who obtained kilograms quantities of heroin in Lawrence, Massachusetts that was distributed to customers in Maine and New Hampshire by Merritt, Woodman, and others. Numerous home burglaries and shoplifting crimes were committed by customers to pay for that heroin.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the New Hampshire and Maine State Police; the York County Sheriff’s Office; and the
Rochester, New Hampshire Police Department; and results from the ongoing effort of 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.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Alan
Ketchen, a/k/a “AJ”, 42, of Bangor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust” and to maintaining a drug-involved premise.

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. Prior to October 21, 2011, MDPV was classified as a controlled substance analogue. On that date, it was reclassified as a
Schedule I controlled substance. The defendant packaged and distributed MDPV from his residence on Blackstone Street in Bangor and collected payments for the drug sales. On
November 10, 2011, law enforcement agents searched the residence and seized a large quantity of MDPV and other controlled substances, cash, drug records, and drug paraphernalia.

On the conspiracy charge, the defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. For maintaining a drug-involved premise, he faces up to 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Ketchen is one of six defendants charged as part of the conspiracy. Co-defendants Daniel
Hines, of Bangor; Jessica Bryden, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff, of Old Town, Maine; Adam Hathorn, of Bangor; and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble”, of Bangor previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bangor Police Department.

Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that David
Blaine Fisher, 47, of Bangor, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy
Torresen to four months in prison, three months in community confinement and three years of supervised release for stealing U.S. mail. Fisher was also ordered to pay $3,194 in restitution.

According to court records, between October 9 and December 24, 2012, Fisher stole 12 checks that had been set out for pick-up by the U.S. Postal Service at eight residences in Bangor, Ellsworth and Trenton. Fisher altered the check amounts, forged endorsements and used them to buy merchandise at local stores, including Home Depot and Hannaford.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Ellsworth and Bangor Police Departments.

Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Robert
Kelly Carter, 50, of Lisbon, Maine, (formerly of Madison, Indiana) was sentenced today in U.S.
District Court by Judge Nancy Torresen to ten years in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon. Carter pleaded guilty to the charge on December
12, 2013.

Court records reveal that on September 18, 2013, Carter, who was on probation for a
2007 sexual abuse in the first degree conviction in Kentucky, was found in possession of a loaded .38 special revolver and a pistol when his supervising Maine probation officer searched his Lisbon residence. Carter also had felony convictions in Indiana in 2001 and 2004.

Judge Torresen said she imposed the maximum statutory sentence of ten years because she believed Carter was a danger to the community, particularly to the women with whom he shares personal relationships.

The investigation was conducted by the Maine Department of Corrections (Probation and
Parole), the Lewiston and Lisbon Police Departments, the Central Maine Violent Crime Task
Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jason
Littlehale, 42, of Andover, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge
Nancy Torresen to 6 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. Littlehale pled guilty on September 30, 2013.

According to court documents and records, in March of 2012, law enforcement obtained information that Littlehale was sharing images of child pornography over the internet from his workplace in Mexico, Maine. Agents met with Littlehale at his home in Andover. A forensic examination of his computers and computer equipment revealed thousands of child pornography images and videos.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit.

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Keith
A. Coleman, 48, of Windham, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to passing $18,000 worth of counterfeit $100 American Express traveler’s checks.

According to court records, between December 17, 2013 and January 10, 2014, the defendant passed 180 counterfeit $100 American Express traveler’s checks at Applebee’s, Best
Buy, CVS Caremark, Denny’s, TGI Fridays, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Radio Shack, Rite Aid, Ruby Tuesday, Staples, Target and Toys ‘R Us in Maine and elsewhere.

Coleman faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Auburn, Augusta, Biddeford, South Portland and Topsham, Maine and the Everett, Massachusetts Police
Departments.

Contact: David B. Joyce
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Markevin Faucette, 41, of Hartford, Connecticut, was sentenced today in United States District
Court by Judge D. Brock Hornby to more than 16 years in prison and 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, that is, crack cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Faucette pleaded guilty to the charge on October 2, 2013.

According to court records, on January 9, 2013, Faucette, Margoliz Velazquez, and
Amanda Rodriguez transported about 47 grams of cocaine base from Connecticut to Auburn, Maine where it was seized by police. Based on that seizure and on other drug trips made between Connecticut and Maine, Faucette was held responsible for over 500 grams of cocaine base.

Faucette received an enhanced sentence as a “career offender” because he had five prior felony drug trafficking convictions in Connecticut, Virginia, and North Carolina.

This case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lewiston, Auburn, and Lisbon
Police Departments.

Contact: Daniel J. Perry
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Gary
Prolman, Esq., 52, of Saco, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiracy to launder $177,500 worth of marijuana trafficking proceeds.

According to court records, between 2011 and October 2013, David Jones and others illegally distributed hundreds of pounds of marijuana in Maine and elsewhere. Between June and
September 2012, Prolman laundered about $177,500 worth of those drug proceeds by: (1) taking cash from Jones to purchase an interest in Prolman’s sports agency business; (2) illegally structuring cash deposits and cashier’s check purchases to avoid federal currency reporting requirements; and (3) using structured cashier’s checks to jointly purchase real estate with Jones in a transaction where only Prolman’s name appeared on the deed as the owner.

Prolman received three separate $50,000 cash installment payments, largely consisting of low denomination bills delivered in a backpack. When Prolman attempted to deposit more than
$10,000 from the first $50,000 installment into bank accounts he controlled, a bank teller advised him of the federal currency reporting requirement for deposits exceeding $10,000. Under federal law, financial institutions that receive more than $10,000 in cash from a customer are required to report the transaction to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Structuring occurs when a customer breaks up cash transactions into multiple increments of less than $10,000 to avoid this cash transaction reporting requirement. Structuring is illegal under federal law and is commonly associated with the laundering of drug proceeds. After being advised of the reporting requirement by the bank teller, Prolman structured numerous cash deposits and paid $60,409 to close the joint real estate purchase using seven structured cashier’s checks.

Prolman faces up to 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the IRS, and resulted from the ongoing effort of 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.

Contact: Andrew McCormack
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Christopher Hitchcock, 26, of Caribou, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by
Chief Judge John A. Woodcock., Jr. to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for transportation of child pornography. Hitchcock pled guilty on November
13, 2013.

According to court documents, Hitchcock emailed images of child pornography to several individuals from his parent’s residence in Fort Fairfield, Maine. In imposing the sentence, Judge Woodcock noted Hitchcock’s lengthy criminal record, including convictions for assault and domestic violence, and unrelated charges pending against him in state court in
Aroostook County for attempted gross sexual assault and visual sexual aggression against a child.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Presque
Isle Police Department.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Daniel
Hines, 38, of Bangor pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. Prior to October 21, 2011, MDPV was classified as a controlled substance analogue. On that date, it was reclassified as a
Schedule I controlled substance. The defendant obtained MDPV from other members of the conspiracy and traded, sold or otherwise distributed it. In November 2011, following a search of a co-conspirator’s residence and the seizure of a large amount of MDPV, the defendant and another person removed MDPV that the police did not find during their search. That MDPV was later seized by police from another individual.

The defendant faces up to 20 year in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Hines is one of five defendants charged as part of the conspiracy. Co-defendants Jessica
Bryden, 22, of Greenbush, Maine; Matthew Tardiff, 27, of Old Town, Maine; and Adam
Hathorn, 36 and Tina Keaton, a/k/a “Fumble,” 32, both of Bangor, previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Bangor Police Department and the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Craig
Sanborn, age 64, of Maidstone, Vermont, was found guilty today of wire fraud in U.S. District
Court after a week-long jury trial in Bangor.

In 2005, Sanborn received a $300,000 federally-funded Community Development Block
Grant to renovate the former rail terminal in Brownville, Maine, into a facility to manufacture ammunition for black powder rifles. The grant entitled him to reimbursement for machinery purchases and certain other expenses, provided he had invested $300,000 of his own funds towards the project. The indictment against him, returned in December 2012, charged him with submitting false invoices to the Town of Brownville and receiving funds to which he was not entitled.

Sanborn faces up to 20 years prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. He was returned to the custody of the State of New Hampshire, where he is serving a sentence for manslaughter associated with a fatal explosion at a Colebrook ammunition-making facility in
May 2010.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office of
Inspector General, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Brownville
Police Department.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced Alyssa
Farrington, 21, of Hudson, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge John A.
Woodcock, Jr. to three years in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute bath salts, money laundering conspiracy, and aiding and abetting a felon’s possession of firearms.

According to court records, between mid-2011 and April 4, 2012, Farrington assisted her boyfriend, Ryan Orton, in illegally obtaining and distributing six kilograms of methylone, over two kilograms of methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), two of the most commonly abused
“bath salts,” and other drugs. Orton ordered the substances over the internet from China and had them delivered to associates working with him. He paid for the shipments through wire transfers made by Farrington and other associates. Once Orton obtained the drugs he and Farrington distributed them throughout the Bangor area. On April 4, 2012, Orton and Farrington were arrested and their residence, a storage unit and vehicle searched. Investigators seized, among other things, drugs, firearms, a ballistic vest, night vision goggles, stun guns, and other weapons. Orton was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony drug convictions. Farrington purchased several of the firearms for Orton who, as a felon, was prohibited from purchasing them himself.

The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Contact: Jim Moore
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Nicole
Dumond, 33, of Greenbush, Maine, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court to stealing postal funds.

According to court records, between November 2012 and January 2013, Dumond was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as Postmaster Relief in Greenbush, Maine. Postmaster
Relief performs as a relief or leave replacement during the absence of a postmaster. In that capacity, Dumond stole over $1,000 she received from customers for money orders and postage stamps.

Dumond 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 United States
Postal Service.

Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Ryan
McLaughlin, 26, of Gardiner, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to pharmacy robbery.

According to court records, on November 13, 2013, McLaughlin entered the Shaw’s
Osco pharmacy in Augusta and handed a note to a pharmacy employee demanding two bottles of
Oxycodone. He was agitated as he spoke with the pharmacy staff, stating that he was in a hurry and demanding that they move faster. He also kept one of his hands in his pocket during the incident, as if he were concealing something. Pharmacy personnel provided him with two bottles of Oxycodone and he left the store. In an interview after his arrest, McLaughlin admitted robbing the store, and said he had committed the robbery to obtain pills to feed his severe addiction.

McLaughlin faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. He will be sentenced after completion of a presentence report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the Augusta Police Department and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.

Contact: F. Todd Lowell
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Brittany
A. Mace, 24, of Stockton Springs, Maine, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor by Judge D. Brock Hornby to eight months of imprisonment for bank embezzlement. The court directed that seven months of the sentence be satisfied by home detention, imposed five years of supervised release and ordered the defendant to pay almost $26,000 in restitution. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge on November 14, 2013.

Court records reveal that the defendant was a teller at Bangor Saving Bank. From about
August 23, 2010, to about November 3, 2011, the defendant stole almost $26,000 from the accounts of 48 bank customers, many of whom were elderly and some of whom had dementia.
The bank discovered the embezzlement in 2011 and reimbursed customers for their losses.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Elbert
Ranquist, 43, of Rockland, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to interfering with commerce by robbery.

According to court documents, on the evening of August 5, 2013, Ranquist drove to
Jensen’s Pharmacy in Rockland in his wife’s distinctive vehicle. He entered the pharmacy wearing sunglasses, a hooded sweatshirt pulled tight around his face, a small blue backpack and blue surgical gloves. He went to the counter holding a knife in his left hand and demanded oxycodone from the pharmacist. The pharmacist, who recognized the defendant as a regular customer, asked out loud if he was really being robbed by “Elbert Ranquist.” The defendant absconded with 10 5mg oxycodone pills.

Ranquist faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or both. 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 Rockland Police
Department and the Maine State Police.

Contact: Joel B. Casey
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Jessica
Bryden, 22, of Greenbush, Maine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute MDPV, a chemical compound commonly referred to as “bath salts” or “monkey dust.”

According to court records, the members of the conspiracy illegally distributed MDPV in
Penobscot County and elsewhere between April and December 2011. Prior to October 21, 2011, MDPV was classified as a controlled substance analogue. On that date, it was reclassified as a
Schedule I controlled substance. The defendant packaged and distributed MDPV to other members of the conspiracy who were selling the drug in the Bangor area. She also collected payments for the drug from other members of the conspiracy.

The defendant faces up to 20 year in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Bryden is one of four defendants charged as part of the conspiracy. Co-defendants
Matthew Tardiff, 27, of Old Town, Maine, and Adam Hathorn, 36, and Tina Keaton, a/k/a
“Fumble” 32, both of Bangor, previously pled guilty to the conspiracy charge and await sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Jermaine Whindleton, 28, formerly of Worcester, Massachusetts, was found guilty yesterday in
U.S. District Court in Portland, following a two-day jury trial, of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to trial evidence and court documents, in 2009, Whindleton was convicted in
Massachusetts of felony drug and assault charges. Several years earlier, he had also been convicted in New York of felony drug and assault charges. On June 12, 2012, Whindleton used a
Mossberg 16 gauge pump-action shotgun in Porter, Maine to assault a drug associate by striking him on the back of his head with the butt end of the firearm during an argument over a drug debt owed to Whindleton.

Whindleton is subject to an enhanced sentence as an Armed Career Criminal. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. 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 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Contact: Craig M. Wolff
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Joel
Dudley, 29, of Westbrook, was convicted yesterday after a two-day jury trial in U.S. District
Court in Portland of making a false declaration to a federal court.

According to court records and evidence introduced at trial, in April of 2013, Dudley testified at a hearing on a motion to suppress statements he made during an interview with law enforcement agents in connection with an investigation of him for possession of child pornography. At the suppression hearing held in U.S. District Court in Portland, Dudley falsely testified that he repeatedly invoked his right to counsel during the interview, but that agents continued to question him in violation of his constitutional rights. Today’s guilty verdict reflected the jury’s conclusion that Dudley’s suppression hearing testimony was knowingly false and material to, or capable of influencing the outcome of, the hearing at which he testified.

On February 25, 2014, Dudley was convicted of possession of child pornography after a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court. Dudley will be sentenced on both cases 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 on the child pornography charge, and a maximum sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the false declaration charge.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations and the Westbrook Police Department.

Contact: Gail Fisk Malone
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 945-0373

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that
Margaret Kimani, 30, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to one year in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to defraud the United States by seeking to become a lawful permanent resident, or green card holder, by engaging in a marriage fraud conspiracy. She was convicted after a jury trial in December 2013.

According to court documents, in 2001, Kimani, a Kenyan national, came to the United
States on a visitor’s visa. In 2003, after her visa expired, Kimani came to Maine and paid a U.S. citizen from Maine to marry her. She and the Maine resident then filed documents with U.S. immigration authorities to adjust her immigration status so she could stay permanently in the country. After the U.S. citizen backed out of the scheme, Kimani filed a petition under the
Violence Against Women Act, which allows aliens who are subject to abuse to apply for permanent residence without the knowledge or consent of their U.S. spouse. In support of that petition, she filed false documents to make it appear that her U.S. citizen spouse had abused her. Relying on her false claims, immigration authorities granted her petition and awarded her lawful permanent resident status.

Other than cases against fugitives, Kimani’s sentencing brings to a close a major marriage fraud conspiracy investigation that resulted in felony convictions against 28 defendants in Maine since 2010. Launched in 2005 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigation identified more than 40 sham marriages in the Lewiston/Auburn and Newport areas between U.S. citizens from Maine and nationals of Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Cameroon. The Maine residents were paid to marry the foreign nationals and assist them in seeking a green card.

In addition to Kimani, three other defendants -- Emmanuel Musiitwa, Grace Nyaga and
Jecinta Wambui Ngige -- all filed false claims of spousal abuse with U.S. immigration authorities. These were the first prosecutions in the United States for fraudulently misusing the immigration provisions of the Violence Against Women Act. Emmanuel Musiitwa was sentenced to four months in January 2014. Grace Nyaga was sentenced to three months in
September 2013. Jecinta Wambui Ngige was sentenced to four months in January 2014.

Others who were convicted include ringleader Rashid Kakande, who was sentenced to 19 months in prison in April 2012; and Maine organizers Angela Roy, who was sentenced to 10 months in April 2011, and Torri Patterson, who was sentenced to six months in April
2011. James Mbugua, the other ringleader, fled after being charged in the case and released on bail conditions, and remains a fugitive.

Also convicted were:

Name

Sentence

Month/Year of Sentence

Catherine Nantume

one year

December 2012

183 days

May 2012

Thomas Taylor

six months

July 2011

Henry Swan

four months

June 2011

Heather Dugas

three months

July 2011

Paula German

three months

April 2011

Thomas Patrick Hanson

three months

May 2011

Simon Kihugu

three months

July 2013

Albert White

three months

April 2011

June Roy White

three months

May 2011

Samuel Paradis

three months

October 2011

Susan Wambui Kimani

three months

December 2011

Lucy Kubai

two months

February 2012

James Muhoro

two months

March 2012

Jason Neas

two months

July 2012

Janet Wanjiru Thumi

two months

March 2013

Annie Njoroge

45 days

February 2013

Edward Kizito

one month

December 2011

Christine Njoroge

one month

October 2012

Beth Stewart

3 years probation

November 2012

Kelly Rider

1 year probation

June 2011

"America's legal immigration system is not for sale and we will move aggressively against those who willfully compromise the integrity of that system simply to enrich themselves," said Bruce Foucart, Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Boston. "Immigration benefit fraud is a serious crime. Not only does it potentially rob deserving immigrants of benefits they rightfully deserve, it also creates a security vulnerability that could be exploited by criminals and others who pose a danger to our community. People who use ruses like this in an attempt to obtain a green card should be forewarned, if you commit marriage fraud, there isn't going to be a honeymoon."

The case was investigated by HSI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in
Portland and Boston, with the assistance of the Lewiston Police Department.