Maine Man Sentenced For His Role in a Massive Drug Ring

A Caribou man received his sentence this week for his role in a drug bust that included 21 defendants.

Latest of 21 Defendants Sentenced to Prison and Supervised Release

James King, 54, was sentenced on Tuesday to 165 months, or just under 14 years, in prison after he pleaded guilty in September 2023. He will serve five years of supervised release after the prison sentence.

The Drug Ring Distributed Drugs in Penobscot and Aroostook Counties

According to the United States Attorney's Office, District of Maine, King played a role in a massive drug ring that included the trafficking of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties, as well as other locations. King served as an Aroostook County distributor, regularly obtaining quantities of drugs from his source in the Bangor area. Other members of the organization would then use those drugs to supply dealers who, in turn, would distribute the drugs to customers. Officials say King knowingly and intentionally joined and participated in the conspiracy.

Some Others in the Organization Are in Prison While Others Await Sentencing

He is the tenth participant involved in the northern Maine drug ring to be sentenced.

Defendants who have also received their sentences:

• 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

Seven of the remaining 11 defendants have 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

This investigation took the cooperation of multiple state, local, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.