District of Maine

BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Andrew Blais, 37, to 48 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Blais pleaded guilty on March 15, 2024.

According to court records, in October of 2023, Bangor police officers encountered Blais during a traffic stop and identified an active warrant for his arrest. Officers observed drug paraphernalia in open view in the vehicle and recovered bundles of cash and a loaded handgun on Blais’ person. A further search at the Penobscot County Jail revealed 38 individual bags containing fentanyl concealed underneath his clothing. Blais was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony drug trafficking conviction.

The Bangor Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Buxton woman was sentenced on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland for two counts of wire fraud and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Christine Bangs, 64, to a year plus a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Bangs was also ordered to pay $536,352.33 in restitution to her victim and $70,323 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for taxes on the income derived from the fraud that she failed to report. She was also ordered to forfeit any property, real or personal, which was derived from the proceeds of her crime, including $105,009.53 seized from a bank account in her name.

According to court records, from March 2014 until June 2021, Bangs used her professional position as operations manager and access to her employer’s credit card, bank accounts and payroll for her own personal gain. Bangs used the corporate credit card to make approximately $197,936 in personal purchases, including $12,414.96 for tickets to a New England Patriots vs. Dallas Cowboys game, and stole an additional $255,645 from the victim by making approximately 213 wire transfers over the 7+ years. Of the money Bangs stole, she spent more than $176,000 on entertainment, tickets & dining. The U.S. Attorney’s Office does not identify victims of crime and is therefore not identifying Bangs’ former employer. Bangs omitted $183,386 in income when filing a personal tax return in 2020.

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Syracuse, New York man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiring to violate federal firearms laws.

According to court records, beginning in May 2022, Tyquinn Montell Cannon (aka “Q”), 30, knowingly conspired with others in Maine and New York to illegally obtain firearms at federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) in central and southern Maine using straw purchasers. Two of the coconspirators located in Maine would arrange for the straw purchase of firearms, and Cannon would deliver, or arrange the delivery of, the illegally obtained firearms to coconspirators located in New York.

Cannon is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a March 2018 conviction in Illinois for the illegal possession of cocaine.

Cannon faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release on the possession of a firearms charge. He faces up to five years imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release on the conspiracy charge. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.

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BANGOR, Maine: A man from the Dominican Republic pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute.

According to court records, in November 2023, Lenin Nova-Nova, 42, was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by the East Millinocket Police Department due to an issue with the headlights. An officer observed an unnatural bulge under Nova-Nova’s clothing. Nova-Nova identified himself using a false name, and a warrant check of that alias revealed an outstanding warrant for arrest. A search of Nova-Nova’s person revealed $1,305 in cash, four cell phones, and suspected controlled substances wrapped in cellophane. Analysis identified the substances as approximately 113 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, approximately 19 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, and 57.8 grams of a substance containing cocaine base. Homeland Security Investigations was able to determine Nova-Nova’s identity.

Nova-Nova faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million to be followed by supervised release for up to life. Nova-Nova will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The East Millinocket Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Penobscot man was found guilty today of possession of child sexual abuse material. The verdict came after a one-and-a-half-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor with Judge Lance E. Walker presiding.

According to evidence presented at trial, between May 2013 and April 2023, Kevin Lee Ross, 62, knowingly possessed child sexual abuse material. Ross was on supervised release for a 2014 conviction also for possession of child sexual abuse material when probation officers from Bangor searched his home and vehicle and found a cell phone, laptop computer, and external hard drive that contained child sexual abuse material, including both images and videos. Evidence showed that Ross had possessed the laptop and hard drive prior to serving his federal sentence and had started using the devices again where he was released from prison in 2021.

Ross faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison followed by five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Westbrook man was sentenced on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing child pornography.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Michael Peterson, 39, to 150 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to court records, between December 2021 and August 2022, Peterson received and attempted to receive child sexual abuse material using the Telegram application. Peterson received the images from an individual using Telegram and paid the same individual in hopes of obtaining additional images.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Maine State Police investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Plymouth man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Adam Johnson, 32, to 180 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Johnson was found guilty by a federal jury following a two-day trial in January 2024.

According to evidence presented at trial, between June 2017 and February 2018, Johnson participated in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl in central Maine. Johnson would travel out of state to meet the source and pick up heroin and fentanyl that he would then bring back to Maine to package and sell to dealers. The amount of fentanyl exceeded 400 grams. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl is a potentially lethal dose.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Somerset County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Lincoln woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for fleeing and evading a U.S. immigration checkpoint in Sherman and leading U.S. Border Patrol agents on a high-speed pursuit. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Shania England, 25, to the 79 days she had served and three years of supervised release. England pleaded guilty on February 16, 2024.

According to court records, in May 2023, England and a passenger were traveling southbound on I-95, when England drove up to and stopped at a checkpoint being operated by the U.S. Border Patrol in Sherman. When an agent instructed England to pull over to a secondary inspection area, she instead sped away on I-95. England fled from Border Patrol agents at high speed for about eight miles and was apprehended after crashing the vehicle in a ditch.

U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case with assistance from the East Millinocket Police Department.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Windham man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to distribution and possession of child pornography.

According to court records, in October 2023, Cote Noonan, 33, using the username “Femboy Cassidy,” sent an undercover FBI agent three child sexual abuse material videos using the instant messaging application TeleGuard. The videos showed the sexual abuse of young victims, including an infant. The agent also observed “Femboy Cassidy” share similar photos and videos on two other occasions in a trading room for child sexual abuse material. During the investigation, Noonan admitted to operating the “Femboy Cassidy” account and informed law enforcement that they would find child sexual abuse material on his devices. The FBI seized several devices from Noonan’s residence, four of which contained thousands of known child sexual abuse material images and videos. Many of these images and videos showed the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants.

Noonan faces no less than five years and up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the distribution of child pornography charge, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Norway man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for filing fraudulent applications for loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Merton Weed Jr., 52, to 24 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $253,646. Weed pleaded guilty on October 23, 2023.

According to court records, between May 2020 and January 2021, Weed filed eight fraudulent PPP loan applications with four different lenders and received $243,745 in PPP funds. The applications listed false average monthly payrolls and numbers of employees for phony businesses that did not exist. Weed supported the applications with falsified bank records.

The FBI investigated the case.

“Motivated by greed, Merton Weed took advantage of a program intended to help small businesses survive economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “Mr. Weed has a lengthy history of enriching himself through fraud, so it is perhaps not surprising that he made not one but eight attempts to take advantage of a time of international turmoil. The Department of Justice and my office will continue to bring to justice those who, like Mr. Weed, sought to capitalize on an unprecedented crisis to line their own pockets.”

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Texas man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to coercing and enticing a minor.

According to court records, in December 2021, Juan Jose Torres, 26, coerced and enticed a 13‑year-old to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Torres had first found the child on Snapchat and sent a friend request. They also communicated through Instagram, text, phone, and FaceTime. Torres knew the victim was 13 years old and sent the child explicit images of himself, pressuring the victim to do the same. He became angry or threatened to harm himself if the victim did not comply. The child’s father intercepted disturbing Instagram messages Torres sent to the victim and notified his local police department in Maine. Numerous sexually explicit images and videos were later found on Torres’ phone in Texas.

Torres faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, to be followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.

Online enticement is increasing: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported an alarming 300% increase in online enticement reports between 2020 and 2023. “Online enticement” involves an individual communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. This type of victimization takes place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. Learn more about online enticement, including red flags and risk factors, at https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/onlineenticement. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project iGuardian program available to Maine communities: The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) program Project iGuardian is focused on keeping children and teens safe from online predators through education and awareness. The in-person educational outreach effort was created to share information about the dangers of online environments, how to stay safe online, and how to report abuse and suspicious activity. Schools, parent groups, and other community groups interested in bringing the program to their community can find more information at: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/training.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Hancock man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for assaulting a federal officer. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Alan Howell Parrot, 69, to probation for two years and a $5,000 fine. A federal jury found Parrot guilty on November 29, 2023, following a one-day trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, on June 22, 2023, FBI special agents were executing a federal search warrant at Parrot’s residence in Hancock. While the agents were trying to enter the residence, Parrot attempted to close the door and became combative, kicking one agent in the abdomen and pushing her backwards, resulting in injuries to her arm and elbow.

The FBI investigated the case. 

“Alan Parrot’s attack on an FBI special agent is yet another reminder of the danger law enforcement officers face on a daily basis – and the successful prosecution of Mr. Parrot should serve as a warning to all that if you assault and injure a law enforcement officer, the consequence is a felony conviction. Assaults on officers will be met with a swift response and will not be tolerated,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  An Atlanta, Georgia man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiring to commit bank fraud.

According to court records, in March 2022, Rasheed Colbert, 32, and a coconspirator, Mantavious Jones, stole checks from the mailboxes of local businesses then used the stolen checks to create counterfeit checks. Unhoused individuals who could provide identification were recruited for what they were told was a job in exchange for money. Counterfeit checks were made payable to the individuals, and they were provided with work-style clothing and driven to bank branches to cash the checks. Colbert and Jones netted just under $70,000 from the cashed counterfeit checks.

Rasheed Colbert faces up to 30 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1 million, followed by up to five years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Mantavious Jones, 35, also of Atlanta, is currently serving 16 months in prison for his role in the scheme.

The New England Cyber Fraud Task Force and Kennebunk Police Department investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Saco and Scarborough police departments.

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BANGOR, Maine:  A Waterville man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiring to steal firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer and stealing firearms from that dealer. 

According to court records, in April 2022, Damiean Marcial-Alexander, 21, and a coconspirator broke into a Waterville firearms dealer and stole multiple firearms, including a Glock, Model 17 Gen5 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver. According to an ATF Theft/Loss Report submitted by the store owner, 15 firearms in all were reported stolen, six revolvers and nine semi-automatic pistols. Evidence collected included Instagram and text messages planning the theft, including a map to the location from Marcial-Alexander’s apartment, as well as photos of the two men holding some of the stolen firearms.

Marcial-Alexander faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine followed by up to three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Waterville Police Department.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Berwick woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to Social Security fraud.

According to court records, from about December 2008 to February 2020, Suzanne Hercock, 46, lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about the presence of her husband, the children’s father, in the household, to fraudulently collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments on behalf of her children.

In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Hercock falsely represented to the SSA that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.

Hercock faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Court may also order Hercock to pay restitution to the SSA. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

SSA’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A New York woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and false use of a passport.

According to court records, in May 2023, Lisa Campos, 57, attempted to withdraw funds from the joint credit union account of two victims, presenting a fake United States passport card as identification. She was successful in withdrawing $8000 from one credit union branch in two separate transactions. She made two additional unsuccessful attempts at other branch locations. Shortly after leaving the third branch, Campos was located by Freeport Police Department officers and provided them with the purported passport card and a debit card, both in one of the victims’ names.

Campos faces up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million followed by up to five years of supervised release on the bank fraud charge. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release on the false use of a passport charge. She faces up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to a year of supervised release on the aggravated identity theft charge. Any sentence on the aggravated identity theft charge would be served consecutively with any other sentence. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated the case with assistance from the Sanford, Topsham, and Freeport police departments.

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PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine Darcie N. McElwee announced today at a press briefing held outside the Edward T. Gignoux U.S. Courthouse in Portland that three New Bedford, Massachusetts men have been indicted following a February 9 drive-by shooting in Saco.

The U.S. Attorney was joined at today’s announcement by Saco Police Chief Jack Clements, Assistant United States Attorneys Johnathan Nathans and Noah Falk, and representatives of the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force including FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Christopher Peavey, ATF Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson and Resident Agent in Charge Nicholas Dilello, and Acting U.S. Marshal Kevin Neal.

In a two-count indictment returned on May 15, a federal grand jury charged Joshua Estrada (aka “Mac”), 19, Yancarlos Abrante (aka “Glizzy”), 20, and Jason Johnson-Rivera (aka “Ouda”), 18, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and perpetrating a drive-by shooting.

According to the indictment, on February 9, 2024, the three men fired at least five rounds from a 9mm handgun into another vehicle in a drug trade dispute. The indictment alleges that Estrada, Abrante and Johnson-Rivera had been trafficking cocaine in and around Saco and Biddeford since at least January 2024.

Estrada was arrested in New Bedford, Massachusetts on May 6, 2024 when charged by criminal complaint for these same charges. Just prior to the press briefing today, Estrada appeared in federal court for his initial appearance in Maine and an arraignment on the indictment returned yesterday. Abrante and Johnson-Rivera, charged in the same indictment, are currently being held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on unrelated charges. They will be in Maine next week for their initial appearances and arraignments. If convicted, the three men each face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million on the drug charge followed by at least three years of supervised release. They each face up to 25 years imprisonment and a maximum fine on $250,000 followed by a up to five years of supervised release on the drive-by shooting charge. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

“I commend the Saco Police Department and those from the neighboring communities who responded to this incident,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee. “This joint federal and local investigation reflects that if you come to Maine and engage in violence, particularly firearm violence, there will be a swift and coordinated response from every level of law enforcement.”

“Immediately following this brazen, drive-by shooting and the ensuing chaos that followed, the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force hit the streets collecting information, intelligence, and evidence to help our partners identify those responsible and bring them to justice. We believe the three Massachusetts men we have in custody conspired with each other to traffic cocaine and were the instigators of this drive-by shooting,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division which includes all of Maine. “Violent drug traffickers have a corrosive effect on our communities, and we want everyone to know that the FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to help make Maine safer for the folks who live, work, and visit here.”

“Brazen violent crime of this magnitude is not something the City of Saco is accustomed to, but when it happens, Maine law enforcement responds,” said Chief Jack Clements of the Saco Police Department. “I want to thank not only our direct neighboring agencies but also the Maine State Police, federal law enforcement, and the municipal and county law enforcement agencies from across York and Cumberland counties that responded. Finally, I would like to thank my detectives, the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force, and the United States Attorney’s Office for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to where it is today.”

The Saco Police Department and FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force investigated the case with assistance from the New Bedford (Mass.) Police Department.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Manchester, New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court records, from at least March 2019 through March 2022, Dominic Barbosa (aka, Christopher Barnhart), 29, obtained the identifications of individuals without their knowledge or consent. Barbosa stole mail in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, including bank account statements, tax returns, and other documents containing others’ means of identification. He kept records of that information to use in the scheme. As part of the scheme, Barbosa would apply for duplicate licenses for others, often changing the address, and then use the stolen identification information and duplicate driver’s licenses to open bank accounts, credit card accounts and lines of credit in others’ names. He also used the stolen identifications to make purchases or enter into contracts. When questioned by a United States Postal Inspector, Barbosa stated he had a cloud database with stolen identities, and investigators in Massachusetts found bins of mail and photocopies of identifying information in a storage unit Barbosa rented. 

Barbosa faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine up to the greater of $250,000 or twice the gain or loss on one count of wire fraud. He faces a minimum of two years, to be served consecutively to any other sentenced imposed, and a fine up to $250,000 on the aggravated identity theft charge. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, South Berwick Police Department, Litchfield Police Department (NH), North Reading Police Department (MA), Salem Police Department (NH), United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

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Edited 05/13/24: Headline corrected to reflect current residence for defendant

BANGOR, Maine: An Old Town man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to possessing child pornography involving a child under 12.

According to court records, between October and December 2022, Matthew Podlaski, 40, searched the internet for, and downloaded images of, the sexual abuse of young children, storing the images on multiple devices. Investigators seized 14 devices belonging to Podlaski, including laptop computers, flash drives and external storage devices.

Podlaski faces up to 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – in legal terms, "child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are shared or viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Toman Caudill, 31, to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Caudill pleaded guilty January 17, 2024.

According to court records, in September 2023, officers with the Bangor Police Department responded to a report that a male had fired a handgun in a residential area. A bystander directed officers to Caudill, and he was taken into custody when officers found a box of 9mm ammunition in his backpack. Further investigation revealed that Caudill had discharged a Ruger 9mm pistol and then handed the firearm to his fiancée as officers approached. Caudill stated that he had fired the gun due to an altercation with another male. The Ruger 9mm pistol was recovered and seized, as was the ammunition from Caudill’s backpack.

Caudill is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions.

The Bangor Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee issued a statement today to update the community on the Office’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal marijuana grows in rural Maine:

Local law enforcement has our full support: The U.S. Attorney’s Office and multiple federal agencies, including the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS, have been actively and directly working with local and state law enforcement partners in a coordinated response to the illegal marijuana grows operating predominantly in central Maine. Simultaneously, our Office continues to investigate individuals involved in this activity for possible federal prosecution.

Investigations are having an impact: The success of our collective efforts is already evident with 40+ operations shut down and multiple arrests made over the last several months. We expect this law enforcement action to continue until the individuals operating the illegal grows come to understand that Maine is not a safe or hospitable place for such activity. I cannot speak more highly of the collaborative and coordinated efforts that have taken place across Maine to date and the strong federal, state and local partnerships and support that exists in Maine.

Interstate distribution and potential ties to China warrant federal involvement: According to the DEA, there are currently transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal marijuana growing activities in at least 20 states. The possibility that organized criminal enterprises with alleged ties to China are using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distribution makes it clear that there is need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down and thoroughly investigate these operations.

To date, there is no evidence of illegal immigration associated with the illicit marijuana grows: To date, we have seen no evidence of illegal U.S. border crossings into Maine by any individuals associated with these illicit grows. Rather, the individuals tending these grows in homes across central Maine who have been encountered by law enforcement have been individuals who are either U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents living in states like New York and Massachusetts. An investigation into three Chinese nationals recently apprehended at a border crossing in northern Maine showed no connection to illegal marijuana grows.

To date, our investigation has encountered no evidence of human trafficking: Through coordination and execution of more than 40 search warrants, investigators have seen no evidence of human trafficking to date. From what we know now, the individuals working in these illicit grows appear to be doing so willingly. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that our Office takes seriously. Any evidence of human trafficking will be thoroughly investigated and if discovered, vigorously prosecuted.

Number of illicit grows: Based on information currently available to federal authorities involved, there are approximately 100 illicit marijuana grows that have been identified operating in Maine. This number has and will fluctuate as law enforcement continues to shut down the operations or those involved abandon the grows to avoid arrest or prosecution. No Maine property owner or anyone else should ever be assumed to be part of a criminal enterprise simply because of their surname or nationality.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A South Portland man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Joshua Hopkins, 33, to 60 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Hopkins pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024.

According to court records, in April 2023, investigators located Hopkins, who had an active state arrest warrant, at a South Portland hotel. A search of a backpack Hopkins had been wearing revealed multiple scales, a single round of 7.62 mm x 39 mm ammunition, a blender that contained suspected fentanyl powder, smaller containers of additional suspected fentanyl powder, bags of suspected cocaine, and what appeared to be a substance used to “cut” drugs. Officers found a black Norinco SKS-style rifle in the vehicle. The round of ammunition in the backpack matched the caliber of the rifle. Hopkins is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; South Portland Police Department; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Portland man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court records, from May to June 2022, Paul Logugune, 22, and a coconspirator broke into unattended vehicles to steal purses and wallets to obtain driver’s licenses and checkbooks. Forged checks were then drawn on the stolen checkbooks and made payable to the names on the stolen licenses. They then recruited others to cash the forged checks at multiple credit union branches in Cumberland County using the stolen IDs to impersonate the ID theft victims.

Logugune faces a maximum sentence of 30 years followed by up to five years of supervised release. He also faces a fine of up to $1 million. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Glenburn woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to embezzling from an organization receiving federal funds and conspiring to alter money orders.

According to court records, Kelly Ballinger, 57, was a former property manager for a Portland apartment complex with residences funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). From about December 2017 to June 2021, Ballinger stole rent payments made by HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program tenants. Ballinger would direct the tenants to pay their rent with a blank postal money order and then would place her name or that of fellow employee Kathleen Conway, 70, on the payee line, adding information such as “groceries” on the memo line to suggest the payments were reimbursements. In some instances, Ballinger would deflate the tenants’ income to as low as $0 so that HUD would pay a larger share of the rent to disguise shortfalls.

Ballinger faces up to ten years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the embezzlement charge and up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the alteration of a postal money order charge, followed by up to three years of supervised release. The Court may also order Ballinger to pay restitution to HUD.

Kathleen Conway pleaded guilty to embezzlement on August 2, 2023 and is awaiting sentencing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service the investigated the case.

“Ballinger used her position of trust to take advantage of elderly and disabled individuals by preying on their vulnerability for her own self-enrichment,” said Acting Special Agent-in-Charge William Woolard with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.  “HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable bad actors who willfully misuse Federal assets.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service commends the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for their hard work on this investigation,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.  “We will continue to conduct investigations and seek prosecution of those individuals who choose to partake in fraud schemes that take advantage of systems that are designed to support those in need.”

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BANGOR, Maine: A Wayne man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor to attempting to smuggle methamphetamine pills into the U.S. and intentionally making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Victor Sousa, 25, to 33 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sousa pleaded guilty to the drug charges on September 30, 2022, and to making false statements on December 5, 2023.

According to court records, in July 2019, Sousa crossed the U.S. border into Canada, returning a few hours later. Sousa was observed fidgeting with his pants and was stopped for secondary inspection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 93 pills in his underwear. Sousa admitted to investigators that he had gone to Canada to purchase the pills, which weighed a total of 41.12 grams and contained a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine.

In November 2022, while in jail awaiting sentencing on the drug charges, Sousa was questioned by a Task Force Officer with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding two subjects of a federal narcotics investigation. After denying that he knew either subject, Sousa called one of the subjects from jail multiple times. Court records further indicated that Sousa had previously lived with the subject whom he called from the jail, and that the second subject had supplied Sousa with narcotics in the past.

The DEA investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Manchester, Maine man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to armed bank robbery.

According to court records, in October 2022, Joshua Brougham, 38, entered an Augusta bank wearing a brimmed hat and a standard hospital mask over his face. After a brief conversation with the bank teller, Brougham placed a newspaper he had been holding on the counter, pulled out a silver handgun, and placed the handgun on the counter in the direction of the teller. Brougham told the teller to give him “all the money in the drawer.” After the teller placed money on the counter, Brougham folded up the newspaper with the money inside and fled to the area of a nearby parking lot, leaving in a gold-colored GMC Yukon.

Four days after the robbery, Augusta Police Department investigators located a vehicle matching the one from the robbery surveillance footage, arresting Brougham as he exited a convenience store. A search of Brougham’s vehicle revealed a handgun magazine loaded with seven .380 caliber bullets as well as an unloaded silver Walther PPK/S .380 caliber pistol wedged in the back seat of the vehicle that matched the description of the firearm used during the robbery. During the investigation, law enforcement also seized a brimmed hat that matched the hat worn during the robbery.

Brougham faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine followed by up to five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Augusta Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Troy woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and theft of public money.

According to court records, from about October 2013 to February 2020, Christie Mitchell, 49, lied to the Social Security Administration (SSA) about her husband’s presence in her household and his income to fraudulently appear eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Mitchell also concealed her husband’s presence and income from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (ME/DHHS) from about October 2013 to December 2019 during which time she received MaineCare benefits and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

In multiple benefit eligibility reviews, Mitchell falsely represented to the SSA and ME/DHHS that she and her husband lived separately. She failed to disclose her husband’s presence and income despite knowing that she was required to and that it would affect her eligibility to receive benefits.

Mitchell faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release on each of the Social Security fraud and health card fraud charges. She faces up to 10 years and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release on the theft of public money charge. The Court may also order Mitchell to pay

restitution to SSA for the Social Security fraud charge and must order her to pay restitution to ME/DHHS for the health care fraud and theft of public money charges.

SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and ME/DHHS’s Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Standish man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced John Wilson, 36, to 40 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Wilson pleaded guilty on January 30, 2023.

According to court records, in March 2022, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office received reports that an individual later identified as Wilson had engaged in inappropriate conversations with at least two minor children using the internet and social media. In June 2022, Wilson engaged in sexually explicit online chats with members of a watchdog group posing as underage girls. During one sexually explicit chat, Wilson sent photographs of his penis and live-streamed a video of himself masturbating to someone he believed to be an 11-year-old girl.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Online enticement is increasing: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported an alarming increase in online enticement reports between 2020 and 2022, with reports more than doubling. “Online enticement” involves an individual communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. This type of victimization takes place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. Learn more about online enticement, including red flags and risk factors, at https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/onlineenticement. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine: A West Gardiner man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to 14 charges relating to the production, transportation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as failing to register as a sex offender.

According to court records, on August 29, 2022, Maine State Police executed a search warrant in West Gardiner on the person of Jon A. Hall, 30. In the search, they seized an iPhone belonging to Hall, and child sexual abuse material was recovered from that phone. Some of the images and video files depicted Hall sexually abusing a young child while earlier living in another state. The phone also included messages with a person in Maine while Hall was out of state. In many of those messages, Hall sent child sexual abuse material to the user in Maine.

On September 11, 2022, Hall was arrested for a sex offender registry violation. At the time, he was in possession of another phone, which also contained images of victims under 12 that Hall had downloaded from online storage, and images Hall had solicited and received directly from a 12‑year-old child using the internet.

Hall was required to register as a sex offender following a conviction for possessing sexually explicit material depicting a child under 12. Although Hall was aware of his requirement to notify the registry of changes in residence, he failed to update his registry information after he moved back to Maine from out of state in August 20222.   

Hall faces:

• Transportation of child pornography charge (2 counts): Minimum of 15 and maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,00, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
• Receipt of child pornography (1 count): Minimum of 15 and maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release.
• Possession of child pornography (2 counts): Minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
• Distribution of child pornography (8 counts): Minimum of 15 and maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release.
• Failure to register as a sex offender (1 count): Up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, followed by five years to life of supervised release.

A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at https://report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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BANGOR, Maine:  An Ecuadorian national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Cristian Paul Pinguil-Caguana, 37, to 12 months and one day in prison. Pinguil-Caguana has been incarcerated since October 6, 2023. He pleaded guilty on November 27, 2023.

According to court records, during an investigation of another individual with an open immigration detainer, U.S. Border Patrol personnel in the Jackman area encountered Pinguil-Caguana in a vehicle with that individual. Pinguil-Caguana identified himself as from Ecuador and reported that he was in the country illegally. Immigration records showed that he had previously been removed from the U.S. on four occasions, mostly recent in September 2021 at Alexandria, Louisiana, and had been prosecuted a total of four times for immigration offenses. Pinguil-Caguana had not obtained the express consent of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Millinocket man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Scott Lynch, Jr., 23, to 12 months plus one day imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Lynch pleaded guilty on December 13, 2023.

According to court records, in November 2020, the Maine Warden Service received a complaint about shots being fired at a residence in Exeter, Maine. A game warden observed bullets lodged in the exterior walls of the residence, and the homeowners reported hearing gunshots from across the pond and seeing two individuals wearing hunter’s orange. The warden located Lynch and a 14‑year-old minor in a parked truck. Lynch admitted to the warden that that he had been target shooting in the woods. He also told the warden that he was a convicted felon. The warden located .22 caliber and .308 caliber casings in the woods where Lynch stated they had been shooting.

While at the minor’s house to retrieve the .22 rifle, the warden overheard the minor tell his mother that there was another rifle hidden in the house, which the mother then retrieved. Lynch had the key to a gun case on a key ring on his belt. Two guns were retrieved from the case, a .308 caliber rifle and a 9mm pistol, with obliterated serial numbers. Further investigation showed both the guns and the case had been stolen from a vehicle in Millinocket, and Lynch told investigators that he had traded a dirt bike for the firearms.

The Maine Warden Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Chelmsford, England man was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Bangor for interfering with a flight crew. The charge stemmed from an incident on a United Airlines flight that diverted to Bangor International Airport (BGR) on March 1, 2024.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Alexander Michael Dominic MacDonald, 30, to time served; he had been in custody since his arrest on March 1. MacDonald was also ordered to pay $20,638.00 in restitution. He pleaded guilty on March 22.

According to court records, MacDonald was a passenger aboard a United Airlines flight traveling from London, England to Newark, New Jersey on March 1, 2024. While the flight was in U.S. airspace, MacDonald began arguing with his travelling companion and causing a disturbance. When flight attendants asked MacDonald to be quiet and attempted to calm him, he became belligerent, threatening, and intimidating towards them. When the international purser aboard the flight intervened, MacDonald became belligerent and intimidating toward him as well and stated that he would “mess up the plane.” When MacDonald’s conduct continued, he was restrained in flex cuffs, and the flight was diverted to Bangor.

The FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Bangor Police Department investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Portland man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for conspiring to distribute cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Tyler Vangel (aka Tyler Linscott, Tyler Carter, Andrew Flanagan), 30, to 50 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2023.

According to court records, while investigating Sebastian Demers in early 2022 for suspected child exploitation, law enforcement learned that Demers was also selling drugs and that Vangel was Demers’ supplier. Investigators opened a separate inquiry into Vangel and learned that between January 2021 and June 2022, Vangel regularly obtained and transported large quantities of cocaine from a Lawrence, Massachusetts-based supplier to be distributed by himself and others, including Demers, to customers in Maine. Among the evidence seized during the investigation was Vangel’s phone, which revealed orders from lower-level distributors requesting a “basket” (3.5 grams) and “half key” (half kilogram) as well as Vangel responding about having a “brick” (kilogram).

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

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Ricardo Middleton, 32, of Boston, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release after a jury found Middleton guilty in December 2023 of sex trafficking a young woman through force, fraud and coercion and obstruction in Maine.

Middleton’s co-defendant, Sherry Jones, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 80 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Jones had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking on May 23, 2023.

“This significant sentence imposed by the court reflects the severity of the defendant’s exploitation of the victim over three days. He used drugs, threats, physical force and rape to force her to engage in commercial sex for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These acts were odious and intolerable. They denied the victim’s basic humanity. The Justice Department will vigorously prosecute human trafficking crimes to hold offenders accountable and to seek justice for survivors of these heinous crimes.”

“Commercial sex trafficking traumatizes its victims and strips them of their freedom and dignity,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine. “Addressing this serious crime is a priority to my office. I commend the commitment of the law enforcement team that diligently worked this important case for years, always keeping the safety and recovery of Middleton’s vulnerable victim as the main priority.”

“The horrific violence inflicted upon women by Middleton and his co-conspirators is difficult to comprehend,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England. “He targeted someone battling substance use issues and used this as a lever to control, making it even harder for her to escape the nightmare she found herself in. We hope that today’s sentence marks and end to this traumatic experience as he faces a lengthy federal sentence and a beginning for those he victimized to look forward and work towards a life of dignity and self-determination.”

The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Middleton exploited a 25-year-old Maine woman who was suffering with substance abuse disorder and compelled her to engage in commercial sex, using drugs, lies, intimidation, physical violence and rape as means to control her. Testimony provided details of the three days in November 2015, in which Middleton, along with Jones and co-defendant Mathew Thatcher, of Scarborough, Maine, transported the victim to several locations in Maine and Massachusetts. Along the way, Middleton berated the victim, abused her and humiliated her, including raping her and saying he was “going to make a lot of money off” her. The evidence further detailed how Middleton, while detained pending trial, instructed a co-defendant not to cooperate with the government or incriminate him. 

On March 22, Thatcher was sentenced to 44 months in prison and three years of supervised released. Thatcher pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2023, to interstate transportation in aid of racketeering and contempt of court. Neither of Middleton’s co-defendants testified at the December trial. 

The HSI New England Field Office, Portland Resident Agent in Charge Office investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI, Biddeford Police Department, Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Department, Topsham Police Department and Saco Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Joyce for the District of Maine and Trial Attorney Meghan Tokash and Deputy Director William Nolan of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

PORTLAND, Maine: An Oxford man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Brandon Dearborn, 31, to 20 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on January 31, 2024.

According to court records, in August 2022, a 911 caller reported a man, later identified as Dearborn, was observed brandishing a firearm outside an apartment building in the town of Mexico. Officers confronted Dearborn and instructed him to drop the weapon, a Ruger .22 pistol. Dearborn instead urged the officers to shoot him and raised the pistol towards them, prompting the officers to fire, striking Dearborn multiple times. At the time of his arrest, Dearborn was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony drug conviction in the Oxford County Superior Court.

The FBI and Maine State Police investigated the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A man from Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Jose Alfredo Mercedes Botello, 22, to 44 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Botello pleaded guilty on November 27, 2023.

According to court records, in March 2022, FBI agents and local law enforcement in Lebanon conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle bearing Massachusetts livery plates. During the stop, the vehicle’s passenger was observed reaching to the floor where agents later recovered a cellophane-wrapped package under the front passenger seat. The contents of the package were confirmed to be fentanyl. The hired driver of the vehicle stated that he had picked up Botello in Lawrence, Mass. and had been instructed to drive him to Maine.

An FBI investigation revealed that Botello planned to distribute the fentanyl to an individual in Maine.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Peru, Maine woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiring to distribute and possess methamphetamine, and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

According to court records, from July 2022 to January 2023, Mandy Shorey, 43, made multiple sales of methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Portland after obtaining the drugs from her Massachusetts supplier. Following several successful controlled buys from Shorey, in November 2022 the undercover officer arranged to purchase two pounds of methamphetamine from her. That night, while waiting for her supplier to arrive, Shorey was armed with a handgun; she told the undercover officer that it was her practice to always carry a firearm for protection when conducting drug deals. On January 26, 2023, Shorey again supplied the undercover officer with a substantial quantity of methamphetamine—approximately one pound—at the same Portland location. That night, Shorey’s supplier, Angel Luis Lozano of Lowell, Massachusetts, who has also pleaded guilty to federal drug charges for his role in the conspiracy, sold Shorey approximately 459 grams of methamphetamine which she in turn sold to the undercover officer. Shortly after the transaction, the Portland Police Department initiated a traffic stop of Shorey’s vehicle, recovering the handgun.

Shorey faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10 million followed by supervised release for at least five years and up to life for the drug charges. She faces a minimum sentence of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the firearms charge. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Portland Police Department. 

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Buxton man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for transmitting a threatening interstate communication.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Brian Dennison, 27, to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Dennison was found guilty by a federal jury on December 7, 2023, following a three-day trial.

According to evidence presented during the trial, on September 8, 2021, Dennison posted on Twitter, “I’m going to kill jews with my ar15 tomorrow.” FBI investigators identified Dennison as the likely author of the threat and executed search warrants at his Buxton residence. Among the items seized were approximately 1,700 rounds of ammunition that could be fired from an AR-15-style rifle. Investigators also found evidence that Dennison had a long-standing animus toward Jewish people. In October 2021, investigators executed another search warrant at the property and found an AR-15-style rifle and ammunition in a case that had been hidden in the woods behind the residence.

In imposing sentence, Judge Levy noted that threats like the one Dennison communicated are corrosive and strain the fiber of our country. He also noted that the core liberties enshrined in the Constitution are undermined by threats based on someone’s faith.

“Brian Dennison communicated his violent anti-Semitic threat on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration,” said Darcie McElwee, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine. “Such repugnant threats have no place in any society. I commend the FBI for its excellent investigative work in this case. Under the First Amendment, you have a right to believe hateful things, and to express those hateful beliefs in lawful ways. But when your speech constitutes a true threat to kill or injure others, you will be held accountable.”

“Our Maine Joint Terrorism Task Force is to be highly commended for its rapid response to Brian Dennison’s threat to commit mass murder with an assault rifle, born out of his long-standing hatred for Jewish people,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Hate has no place here in Maine, and the fact that Mr. Dennison had the actual means to carry out his articulated threat is chilling. Protecting human life is our absolute priority, and the FBI stands ready to intervene whenever threatening language crosses the line into illegal activity.”

The FBI and U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A South Berwick man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to theft of mail by a postal carrier.

According to court records, between January and May 2023, Russell Joaquin, 48, opened and stole the contents of greeting cards from his postal route. Joaquin was interviewed by investigators from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and admitted to stealing greeting cards from his mail routes in South Berwick and Eliot to take the cash and gift cards they contained.

Joaquin faces up to five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case with assistance from the Berwick Police Department.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Brighton, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for kidnapping and transporting a woman into Maine against her will.

U.S. District Judge Jon D. Levy sentenced Stephen Pilson, 56, to 156 months in prison for kidnapping and 50 months for interstate violation of a protective order, with the sentences to be served concurrently. Judge Levy also sentenced Pilson to four years of supervised release following his prison term. A federal jury found Pilson guilty on December 21, 2023, after a three-day trial.

According to evidence presented during the trial, on December 15, 2019, Pilson drove the victim, with whom he had a relationship, from Massachusetts to Maine against her will. Throughout the trip, he drank heavily and told the victim they were going to Canada where she would die. Pilson tied the victim to the vehicle’s gear shift with her scarf and struck her when she tried to escape. On I-95 near Arundel, the victim attempted to open the door while the car was traveling at high speed. After Pilson pulled over, she attempted to remove the vehicle’s keys, breaking the key off in the ignition before fleeing along the highway with Pilson in pursuit. Maine State Troopers were alerted to the incident by 911 calls from at least five concerned motorists. Troopers later found Pilson in the woods with the aid of a K-9.

On December 12, 2019, three days before the kidnapping, Pilson had pleaded guilty in Waltham (Massachusetts) District Court to five charges, including kidnapping the same victim, for which he had been sentenced to time served and probation. A no-contact order was also imposed, prohibiting him from contacting the victim. The federal jury found Pilson guilty of interstate violation of a protection order for violating the Massachusetts order.

While incarcerated on the federal kidnapping charge, Pilson sought to obstruct justice by convincing the victim to recant her statement to police and cease cooperating with the investigation. In a recorded phone call Pilon made to the victim from jail, Pilson instructed her to write to prosecutors to say that she wasn’t kidnapped, and that she wanted the charges dropped. During the call, Pilson told the victim that if she did not write the letter, Pilson would kill himself because he could not face years in prison.

At sentencing, Judge Levy observed that, “Mr. Pilson’s recorded call to the victim was chilling and reflects someone who is both calculating and will do whatever it takes to another person to get his way.”

The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Maine State Police investigated the case.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or via the hotline’s website at https://www.thehotline.org/. Mainers experiencing domestic violence can also contact the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV) at 1-866-834-HELP (4357). The MCEDV website, https://www.mcedv.org/, also has information about member organizations across Maine.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute.

According to court records, in August 2023, Scarborough Police officers encountered Ethan Bubier, 41, in a parked vehicle and observed drug paraphernalia and a knife on the seat. Officers searched the vehicle and found a backpack with several containers of suspected controlled substances, including 20 individual packets of fentanyl powder, a scale, and empty plastic bags. Officers also found six additional packets of fentanyl as well as $1662 in cash. In total, investigators recovered more than 264 grams of fentanyl. A later search of Bubier’s phone revealed messages documenting what appeared to be his large purchase of narcotics days before the seizure as well as messages from potential buyers.

Bubier faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million followed by three years to life of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Scarborough Police Department. The Maine Attorney General’s Office also assisted with the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man was found guilty yesterday of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence following a two-day trial in U.S. District Court in Portland.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in June 2010, Willie Richard Minor, 63, formerly of Auburn, was convicted in Maine Superior Court of assaulting his then-wife. As a result of that conviction, Minor was prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition. In November 2016, Minor admitted to having a gun in an interview with the Auburn Police Department. The police recovered the gun from his apartment in Auburn.

Minor was originally convicted and sentenced on the federal charge after a trial in December 2017. While the case was pending on appeal, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision, Rehaif v. United States, that changed what the government is required to prove in certain federal firearm possession cases. As a result, the parties agreed to have the original conviction vacated, and the case was remanded for a new trial. Minor was again convicted after a trial in February 2020, and in September 2020, he was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release.

In March 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit found that the jury had been incorrectly instructed in Minor’s second trial. The Court of Appeals clarified what the government is required to prove under the Supreme Court’s Rehaif decision. The case then proceeded to trial for a third time.

“This case was particularly important because the new jury instructions given here provide clarity for our future pursuit of such prosecutions against former domestic abusers who illegally possess firearms across Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “Those convicted of abusing their loved ones should understand that illegal gun possession will not be tolerated in Maine.”

Minor will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Auburn Police Department; the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the FBI investigated the case. The Mechanic Falls Police Department investigated Minor’s earlier assault case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Hyde Park, Massachusetts man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for two drug trafficking charges and one firearms charge. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Harold Andujar-Pimentel, 25, to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Andujar-Pimentel pleaded guilty on December 21, 2023.

According to court records, in November 2022, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Anson, searching the main residence and a camper on the property. Andujar-Pimentel was located and detained in the camper, and after being detained, ran from officers who pursued him through the woods to apprehend him. Officers located a key to the camper on Andujar-Pimentel’s person. During the search of the camper, officers recovered a plastic bag containing more than $5,000 in cash; a plastic bag that contained over 2,308 grams of fentanyl powder, 492.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, 453.9 grams of cocaine base, 89 Oxycodone pills, and 50 Xanax “bars”; and six firearms, including a loaded Glock Model 43 9mm handgun. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine; just 2 mg of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Maine Drug Enforcement Administration (MDEA), Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and Winslow Police Department investigated the case. The Somerset County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Caribou man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced James King, 54, to 165 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. King pleaded guilty on September 25, 2023.

According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, King and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. King, an Aroostook County distributor, regularly obtained quantities of drugs from his source in the Bangor area. Others then would distribute the drugs to dealers who, in turn, would distribute the drugs to customers. King knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.

King is the tenth participant involved in the northern Maine conspiracy to be sentenced. Seven of the remaining 11 defendants have pleaded guilty:

Sentenced:

• Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years
• Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months
• Danielle McBreairty (33, Glenburn) – 20 years
• Blaine Footman (37, Bangor) – 5 years
• Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years
• Dwight Gary, Jr. (53, Medway) – Time served
• Matthew Catalano (37, Penobscot County) – 165 months
• Thomas Hammond (25, Charleston) – 84 months
• Christopher Coty (43, Bangor) – 4 years
• James King (54, Caribou) – 165 months

Pleaded Guilty:

• Sarah McBreairty (35, Dixmont)
• John Miller (23, Caribou)
• Shelby Loring (28, Bangor)
• Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle)
• Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington)
• Carol Gordon (53, Bangor)
• Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou)

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for his role in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

According to court records, between January 2018 and December 2021, Aaron Rodgers, 43, and others trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere. Rodgers knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.

Twenty-one defendants have been charged in this and related cases for their part in the northern Maine drug trafficking conspiracy. To date, ten of the defendants have been sentenced and eight have pleaded guilty:

Sentenced:

• Andrew Adams (32, Aroostook County) – 10 years
• Wayne Smith (33, Bangor) – 85 months
• Danielle McBreairty (33, Glenburn) – 20 years
• Blaine Footman (37, Bangor) – 5 years
• Nicole Footman (41, Holden) – 3 years
• Dwight Gary, Jr. (53, Medway) – Time served
• Matthew Catalano (37, Penobscot County) – 165 months
• Thomas Hammond (25, Charleston) – 84 months
• Christopher Coty (43, Bangor) – 4 years
• James King (54, Caribou) – 165 months

Pleaded Guilty:

• Sarah McBreairty (35, Dixmont)
• John Miller (23, Caribou)
• Shelby Loring (28, Bangor)
• Joshua Young (48, Presque Isle)
• Joshua Jerrell (30, Orrington)
• Carol Gordon (53, Bangor)
• Jason Cunrod (42, Caribou)
• Aaron Rodgers (43, Bangor)

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  Two men from the New York City metro area were charged with burglarizing two Maine post offices and robbing, at knife point, two U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers.

A federal grand jury charged Winston McLeod, 30, and Lance Funderburk, 30, in a five-count indictment on March 20, 2024, charging each with two robberies, two burglaries, and participating in the overall conspiracy.

According to the indictment and other court records, during a one-week period in January 2024, McLeod and Funderburk broke into the Paris and North Monmouth post offices and stole money order printers, mail, computers, post office box keys, and other items. The two men are then alleged to have robbed two Lewiston postal carriers in quick succession on January 20, 2024, threatening to stab each of them with a knife unless they turned over their postal keys. 

If convicted, the men face up to 25 years imprisonment on each of the two robbery counts, up to five years imprisonment on each of the two burglary counts, and up to five years on the conspiracy count. They also face up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count of conviction.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, with the assistance of FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Rumford, Lewiston, Paris and Monmouth police departments. 

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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PORTLAND, Maine:  A Westbrook man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for sexually exploiting a child.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Rayevon Deschambault, 28, to 216 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Deschambault was convicted of two counts of sexually exploiting a child following a two-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Portland in January 2023. Deschambault also received a concurrent 27-month sentence on an unrelated charge of distributing cocaine base, stemming from his sale of cocaine base to a confidential informant in August 2019. Deschambault pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking charge on March 30, 2023.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, in August 2019, Deschambault sexually abused a 14-year-old victim for the purpose of creating child sexual abuse material. The videos Deschambault produced were found on his cell phone after investigators seized the phone in August 2019.

In sentencing Deschambault, Judge Woodcock noted that videorecording of sexually exploitative acts “places this crime at a different level” because “videotaping is a potentially permanent visual record of the crime.”

The FBI and Portland Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“Rayevon Deschambault’s actions were beyond heinous. He sexually abused a child and recorded the abuse so he could savor it whenever he wanted.  No child should ever have to experience this,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We thank the victim in this case for cooperating with law enforcement. With today’s sentence, Mr. Deschambault won’t be able to victimize anyone else for years to come.”

“Mr. Deschambault sexually abused a child then took it even further to memorialize that abuse on video,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. “Protecting Maine children from the lasting and traumatic impact of sexual exploitation is among the most necessary and important work we do at the US Attorney’s Office In support of our law enforcement partners at every level,”

Reports of child sexual exploitation are increasing: In 2022, The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline received 32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. That included more than 80,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, an increase of 82% from 2021 to 2022, and more than 31 million reports of child sexual abuse materials. Victimization can take place across every platform, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, etc. To make a CyberTipline Report, visit https://report.cybertip.org/.  If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

Project Safe Childhood: This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department’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, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psc.

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A Maine man pleaded guilty today to one count of threatening communications in interstate commerce for sending racist death threats to a Black family living in his apartment complex.

According to court documents, in August 2022, Charles Allen Barnes, 46, of Lewiston, used Facebook Messenger to record and transmit a racial-slur-laden voice message in which he threatened, in graphic and violent terms, to kill his neighbor. In the message, Barnes made repeated derogatory references to the neighbor’s race and stated that he was waiting in his car outside the neighbor’s apartment and would kill the next person who emerged from it. Barnes then sent the recording to an acquaintance of his whom he knew to be close personal friends with the neighbor. Alarmed by the message’s contents, the acquaintance forwarded the recording to Barnes’s neighbor, to warn her of possible danger from Barnes.

“Charles Barnes thought that hiding behind a social media account would shield him from the consequences of terrorizing his neighbors with vile, racist death threats, but he was wrong,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Racially-motivated death threats and acts of violence are unacceptable in our society today. The Justice Department will continue to thoroughly investigate and vigorously prosecute anyone who carries out threats or acts of bias-motivated violence in our country.”

“Hate of any kind will not be tolerated in Maine,” said U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee for the District of Maine. “With our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine will diligently pursue justice for victims of racial harassment, threats, and violence. Barnes’ conduct is not representative of how we treat our neighbors in Maine. Protecting civil rights is one of our highest priorities.”

“Charles Barnes admitted today to using his words as a weapon and making violent, racist threats against his neighbor,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Division. “Threats to life are most certainly not protected speech, and the FBI will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice anyone who crosses the line and commits this type of crime.”

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Barnes faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. If the judge determines that Barnes intentionally selected the victim of his crime because of the victim’s race, a sentencing enhancement will be applied.

The FBI Boston Field Office, Lewiston Police Department and the Maine Attorney General’s Office investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheila Sawyer for the District of Maine are prosecuting the case.

BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute them.

According to court records, in October of 2023, Bangor police officers encountered Andrew Blais, 37, during a traffic stop and identified an active warrant for his arrest. Officers observed drug paraphernalia in open view in the vehicle and recovered bundles of cash and a loaded handgun on Blais’ person. A further search at the Penobscot County Jail revealed 38 individual bags containing fentanyl concealed underneath his clothing. Blais was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony drug trafficking conviction.

Blais faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine up to $1 million and at least three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bangor Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A California man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to his role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in Downeast Maine.

According to court records, between May 2022 and March 2023, Alex Hanna, 30, coordinated shipments of methamphetamine from a source in California to multiple individuals who distributed it in Downeast Maine. Hanna found others willing to either have USPS deliveries of methamphetamine shipped to their address or find other addresses where the packages could be delivered. Hanna, along with his conspirators, trafficked the methamphetamine in Maine.

In addition to the drug conspiracy charge, Hanna also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit money laundering. He conspired with others in Maine to send money and proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine to his source in California using various money services, including Walmart2Walmart, Cash App, and Venmo. Hanna used coconspirators’ identifications and accounts to send the money in an effort to conceal and disguise his involvement in these transactions.

Hanna faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison on the drug conspiracy charge and a maximum fine of $10 million. For the money laundering conspiracy charge, Hanna faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine or twice the amount involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, FBI, Ellsworth Police Department, Holden Police Department, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

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