LEWISTON — Police arrested five men and a woman on felony drug and weapons charges earlier this week as officers executed outstanding warrants.
The arrests by the Lewiston Police Department officers and detectives were assisted by agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI.
On Sunday, Misty Deschaine, 37, of 88 Bartlett St., Lewiston, was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs. Bail was set at $500 cash at her 8th District Court appearance Wednesday.
In a police affidavit, an officer wrote he observed her sitting on a mattress in her apartment, breaking off chunks of crack cocaine on a small mirror and putting them into sandwich baggies.
On Monday, police arrested Sabree Lamar Branch, 27, of 193 Lincoln St., Lewiston on charges of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a stolen firearm.
Officers got a search warrant for his address and seized more than $1,200 in cash, about 10 grams of crack cocaine, a stolen handgun, an extended handgun magazine and evidence of drug trafficking, according to court papers.
Branch was held at the Androscoggin County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail after appearing in 8th District Court in Lewiston.
Also on Monday, police arrested:
• Kevin A. Roberts, 31 of Lewiston on an outstanding, previously issued warrant of arrest charging unpaid fines or fees connected to a previous MDEA drug trafficking charge. Roberts was released on $1,000 cash bail.
• Whali Henry, 27, on a probation hold. He was on probation for a previous drug conviction. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.
• Akasmine Murchison, 30 of 119 Bartlett St., Lewiston on an outstanding, previously issued warrant charging three counts of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, each a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. During an initial appearance at 8th District Court in Lewiston, bail was set at $10,000 cash and $50,000 real estate.
In a court affidavit, an officer noted several confidential informants who wore wires had bought crack cocaine from Murchison with recorded currency.
On Monday, Elisha Rios, 18, of 205 Ash St., Lewiston was arrested by patrol officers responding to a weapons complaint. Rios was charged with receiving stolen property (stolen handgun). Bail was set at $15,000.
The defendants who appeared in court Wednesday were assigned court-appointed lawyers.
They did not enter pleas to the charges because they are felonies, which must be handed up in an indictment by a grand jury before proceeding to trial.
cwilliams@sunjournal.com
Lewiston police Officer Spencer Simoneau takes Elisha Rios, 18, of Ash Street in Lewiston into custody Tuesday evening at Bradley and Pine streets. Police responded to the area after receiving a report of a man carrying a gun on Walnut Street. After examining the firearm Rios had, police determined it had been reported stolen. Rios was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and illegal possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Lt. Marc Cornelio said. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Sabree Lamar Branch, upper left, Misty Deschaine, Whali Henry, Akamine Jariell Murchison, bottom left, Elisha Rios and Kevin A. Roberts. (Photos courtesy of the Lewiston Police Department)
Send questions/comments to the editors.
