LEWISTON — Two local men denied Wednesday they were dealing crack cocaine in the city.
Shane D. Pontoo, 30, of 101 Pine St. and Christopher “CJ” McFarland, 33, of 107 Birch St. are two of five men arrested May 9 on warrants charging they were selling crack.
The arrests were the result of a six-month undercover in investigation conducted by state drug agents and local police that included purchases of crack from each of the five men in several locations around the city.
They were indicted on felony charges this month by an Androscoggin County grand jury.
Pontoo pleaded not guilty in 8th District Court to unlawful trafficking in crack cocaine, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and unlawful furnishing crack cocaine, a Class C crime for which the maximum penalty is five years in prison. He is free on $2,500 cash bail and was appointed an attorney by the court.
McFarland, who also appeared in 8th District Court, pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine with prior convictions, a Class A felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He plans to hire a lawyer, he told the judge. He is free on $5,000 cash bail.
Agents and police searched a home at 101 Pine St. where they seized items connected to drug-trafficking.
Also arrested were James E. Pontoo, 34, on four counts of aggravated trafficking in crack, Cain Roberston, 26, for aggravated trafficking of crack and a probation hold, and Timothy Joseph Rodrigue, 53, for unlawful trafficking of crack.
Robertson and Rodrigue were arraigned this month in 8th District Court.
Bail conditions for all of the men include no possession of illegal drugs, for which they can be searched and tested at random.
Shane Pontoo and Christopher McFarland
Send questions/comments to the editors.
