FARMINGTON – Two Jay men accused of having nearly 100 pounds of marijuana between them last year were indicted Thursday on drug charges in separate cases.
John H. Sullivan, 34, of 986 Main St., was indicted on two felony counts of aggravated trafficking in marijuana and butane hash oil, and a felony charge of violation condition of release. He was also indicted on a misdemeanor charge of violation of conditions of release, and criminal forfeiture of two rifles and a shotgun.
Jay Detective Michael Mejia said he arrested Sullivan on a warrant issued by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency on the drug and release charges. The two agencies conducted a joint investigation after residents complained of the smell of marijuana on Main Street in North Jay.
They served a search warrant at Sullivan’s residence and seized 67 pounds of marijuana, eight marijuana plants, butane hash oil and three firearms.
The street value of the marijuana was estimated at more than $120,000, Mejia said previously.
The marijuana seized was in various forms, including ground up, packaged and growing, he said.
A conviction on the charge carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
In another case, Robert A. Whittemore, 65, of 222 Intervale Road, was indicted on a felony charge of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and a misdemeanor charge of violation of condition of release pertaining to a different case.
Whittemore, who was convicted of an aggravated drug trafficking charge after an arrest in 2007, is accused of having 30 pounds of packaged marijuana in his possession on Oct. 28.
A conviction on the aggravated trafficking charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Jay police officer Dylan Rider went to Whittemore’s residence on Intervale Road/Route 140 on Oct. 28, 2015, to check that Whittemore was complying with conditions of release, police Chief Richard Caton IV said last year.
Rider, assisted by fellow Jay officers and a MDEA agent, conducted a search of property and seized the marijuana.
Its street value was estimated at more than $60,000, Caton said at the time.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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