Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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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Contact
Joel Casey, Assistant United States Attorney (207-945-0373)