14 charged in Bangor, Augusta drug rings
7/10/09 | 29 comments
Courts

14 charged in Bangor, Augusta drug rings


By Dawn Gagnon
BDN Staff
Jessica Cosenza

BANGOR, Maine — State and federal drug agents have broken up two drug trafficking rings, one based in the Bangor area with links to New York and the other based in the Augusta area with ties to Massachusetts.

The two unrelated Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigations culminated earlier this week, when drug agents executed search warrants at motels in Bangor and Augusta.

A total of 14 suspects were arrested as a result of the probes, MDEA division Cmdr. Darrell Crandall said Thursday. Police also seized drugs, guns, cash, scales, ledgers and a Lexus, he said.

According to Crandall, the two groups were operating in similar ways.

Members would acquire drugs in New York or Massachusetts and bring them to Maine, where they could be sold at a significant markup, often out of motel rooms or apartments.

MDEA Director Roy E. McKinney said Thursday that the arrests highlight a continuing and disturbing trend in the distribution of drugs in Maine.

“Out-of-state traffickers view Maine as a lucrative market,” he said. “Such cannot be effectively addressed by any one department. Only through communication, coordination and collaboration, as demonstrated by the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, can we hope to combat these groups,” which he said have been making significant inroads in Maine over the past several years.

Assisting state and federal drug agents were local police from Bangor and Augusta.

The Bangor area arrests followed an MDEA investigation into drug trafficking connected to New York.

During the course of that investigation, agents made covert drug purchases from members of the organization who were dealing out of a Bangor apartment that was within 1,000 feet of two schools. Garry Higgins, MDEA supervisory special agent for the Bangor-based North Central Regional Task Force, identified them as the Abraham Lincoln School on Forest Avenue and the St. John’s campus of All Saints School on State Street.

Late Monday, Higgins said, MDEA agents and Bangor police executed search warrants at two rooms at the Ranger Inn, seizing 58 retail bags of heroin worth $1,800, 3 grams of crack cocaine valued at $300, a small amount of powdered cocaine, more than $1,000 in cash, scales and drug ledgers.

Eight people were arrested in the Bangor bust — three New York residents and five people from Maine, including a married couple.

They are:

— Antonio Gonzalez, 18, Zeria, N.Y., aggravated drug trafficking in a school zone.

— Rafael Brito, 22, New York City, aggravated drug trafficking because of a prior drug conviction.

— Jessica Corzenza, 21, New York City, drug trafficking.

— Brooke Shirey, 26, Bangor, drug trafficking.

— Stephen Wood, 39, Bangor, aggravated drug trafficking in a school zone. (Police also indicated that Wood is a registered sex offender).

— Dawn Wood, 38, Bangor, aggravated drug trafficking in a school zone.

— Jessica Smock, 27, Dedham, aggravated drug trafficking in a school zone, bail violation.

— Timothy Thorpe, 29, Dedham, aggravated drug trafficking in a school zone, probation violation.

Meanwhile, MDEA agents based in Augusta joined forces with Augusta police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency investigators on a probe that involved a Massachusetts organization allegedly selling heroin, crack cocaine and OxyContin from motel rooms in that city.

Surveillance of these suspects over several weeks showed nearly daily trips between Augusta and Massachusetts, as well as retail distribution in Maine.

On Tuesday, search warrants were executed on two Augusta motel rooms. Agents seized 10 grams of heroin worth $2,400, 15 grams of cocaine worth $1,500, 137 80-mg OxyContin tablets worth $13,700 and 75 40-mg OxyContin tablets worth $3,650. Agents also seized $6,846 in cash, a 1997 Lexus and two handguns, one of them loaded.

Arrested and charged in the Augusta bust were:

— Matthew Sullivan, 22, Lynn, Mass., aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs with firearm involvement.

— Andrew Mumbauer, 21, Peabody, Mass., aggravated drug trafficking with firearm involvement.

— Daniel Sullivan, 25, Lynn, Mass., drug trafficking, fugitive from justice.

— Gordon Newton, 25, Dorchester, Mass., drug trafficking.

— Kathryn Bush, 24, Farmington, N.H., drug trafficking.

— Ashlie Williams, 21, Vassalboro, drug trafficking.

“This investigation demonstrates that cooperative law enforcement is a key in fighting drug traffickers across Maine,” said Steven Derr, U.S. DEA New England special agent in charge. “The [MDEA] is a tremendous partner and our collaboration is continuing across the state. These arrests [show] what can be achieved by working together.”

Anyone with information about drug trafficking may call MDEA toll free at 800-452-6457. Anonymous tips also may be left online at www.maine.gov/dps/mdea.

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Comments
29 comments on this item
On 7/10/09 at 4:37 AM, Jazz11 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

About time we rid central Maine of Drugs from scum like these! Now maybe the breaking and entering's will cease.

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On 7/10/09 at 5:42 AM, brooks10 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

excellent jobs Maine DEA AND EVERYONE THAT HELPED REMOVE THIS GARBAGE FROM THE STREETS

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On 7/10/09 at 6:23 AM, freedomfighter wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If they were selling alcohol they would be upstanding citizens, Since they are selling medicine they are garbage? All these prescription drugs come from some nice pharmacist somewhere. The dog is still chasing his tail thanks to generous taxpayers.

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On 7/10/09 at 6:42 AM, kevin77 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Gee freedom, guess I missed the part where Cocaine, heroin, and crack are medicine. And pharmacists don't have a need for loaded guns. So yeah, IMO, these people are garbage. GREAT JOB TO EVERYONE INVOLVED GETTING THE SCUM OFF THE STREET!

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On 7/10/09 at 8:09 AM, Danama wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Way to go!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

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On 7/10/09 at 9:46 AM, freewill wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's encouraging that we're seeing increased arrests in drug trafficking crimes but the illicit use is increasing exponentially. There is no such thing as recreational narcotics use. If someone you care about tells you that the narcotics they are taking recreationally are not a problem and they are not addicted, don't believe them. Do whatever you are forced to do to help them, including having them arrested. Call the police and tell them everything you know. You could save some innocent lives.

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On 7/10/09 at 10:04 AM, RogerAnderson wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

With all the drugs coming in from out of state maybe the state police should stake out the toll booth in York with K-9 drug sniffing dogs.Instead of busting the chops of the truckers at the weigh Station. That my thoughts

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On 7/10/09 at 10:18 AM, avidreader wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good thought RogerAnderson. Although then the traffickers would just begin using the tractor trailers as a way to transport. I think a hybrid approach of toll booths and weigh stations would work well.

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On 7/10/09 at 10:36 AM, cindi81 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Did the Woods use to work at the old Danish Health Spa in Kittery? Good job To all agencies involved.

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On 7/10/09 at 10:50 AM, Seaglass wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The exploding drug problem in Maine made the L.A. (California) Times today...front page story...

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On 7/10/09 at 11:02 AM, Amanda1982 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thank God get this people off the street. For anyone thats suffered from a drug addiction, or has watched or sees a family member, friend or coworker suffer from an addiction like Oxy's, Herion, etc. it is ruining their/your life. Get help! There is so many places out there right now that offer such great programs, some may not agree with the methadone clinic or suboxone, but I have seen the transformation of a young woman who was basically selling herself for drugs, and was going to end up dead or in jail once she got help. She know holds a FT job, raises her children to her best ability, and attends weekly meetings and sees a counselor weekly. It doesnt happen overnight. It took her 2 years of being sober to get her life back together and for her head to start to get "right".

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On 7/10/09 at 11:03 AM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good they did a GREAT job !

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On 7/10/09 at 11:36 AM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What may have been going through their minds, based on photo :)

Thorpe: "So what? Get on with it."/ Wood "If I don't look em in the eye..."/ Dawn Wood "So what, I've done worse"/ Gonzalez "I wish I thought twice about these curly locks..."/ Cosenza "this ain't nuthin"/ Shirey & Smock are smiling for camera with pride!/ Brito "Hope my mama doesn't find out"

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On 7/10/09 at 11:45 AM, JWBooth wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Looks like someone fell behind in their protection payments to law enforcement.

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On 7/10/09 at 11:46 AM, Erika2 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Woods have been in this game for far too long...they've had their chances and numerous people/organizations have tried to help them.....what a waste of space.......great job to officer higgins...thanks for all of your hard work

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On 7/10/09 at 12:24 PM, HorseShack wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am wondering if the Woods will still get there support checks they receive from the state while they are locked up. They have gotten away with too much in this city and deserve as much time as allowed by law.

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On 7/10/09 at 12:28 PM, duckwa wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

, berquis, TOO FUNNY!!

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On 7/10/09 at 12:55 PM, berquis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thanks! It's a slow work day :)

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On 7/10/09 at 1:41 PM, nwayne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The only draw back is that there is always someone that will step in and take thier places. We will never get rid of the drug problem until we find a way to cut out the profitability.

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On 7/10/09 at 2:15 PM, zrt800 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have known Dawn Bragg (Wood) for many years. I remember a spoiled brat who refused to finish high school and when told if she did not finish she was to find a new place to live, she moved in with her grandparents. I am sure her grandmother is rolling over in her grave at this point. Would she be proud of her granddaughter? I think not. Dawn was always kind of mixed up and as much as I would like to just blame this all on that fact, the truth is she was on pills for pain for a few years then got addicted to them. Then when her former husband divorced her because she refused to get help the ran to the closest druggie she could. There was a time where she was getting pills for her son and using the pills herself. She used her child to get pills. She is a sad person who has a serious addiction. It is a shame as she has childeren not to mention a family who has really stood up for her and stood by her no matter how wrong she was or no matter what she had done. A fact here is she has been given far too many chances and I hope this time she does not squirm her way out of this. She needs to finally learn right from wrong and be punnished for her actions, and who knows, hopefully get a little help as well.

As for the Steve it is also about time he is taken off the streets for good as well.

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On 7/10/09 at 5:52 PM, rollo3 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Put them in the Methadone clinic.... they need help....oh wait... most are there.

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On 7/10/09 at 6:44 PM, olmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

very nice work on all partys ,keep it up,there lots more trash that needs pickin

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On 7/10/09 at 10:12 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Maine DEA works so hard to do their job and I commend them for all they do!! Like someone said though, for everyone that's taken off the streets, there are 10 more to replace them. We need to make their sentences stiffer and demand that they have continued drug treatment and counseling while in prison.

I've heard the prisons are loaded with drugs... why not do drug tests? I don't get that!!!

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On 7/11/09 at 8:23 AM, JWBooth wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Because, Amazed, the warden has a piece of the action.

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On 7/12/09 at 8:29 AM, overseasmaniac wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good job to all involved!!! But I must say it must have been a relatively easy sting operation as the suspects photos in this article do not exactly scream of intelligence. I think a sting like this on a weekly basis might make a slight dent in the number of dealers in Maine in about...5 years!

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On 7/14/09 at 10:57 AM, ilovedave wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

WTG... Stephen!! Your a great example for your kids. And your parents.. they are such nice people, your such a disappointment to them. Guess you'll never change!!

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On 7/14/09 at 4:25 PM, howicit wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes, Nice job DEA! Now lets just hope the Justice system doesn't let all your hard work go wasted. We all know how many times these criminals (the Woods) have been in trouble and end up bargaining out or getting their wrists slapped! Come on they are almost 40 and have been doing this for 20 years plus! When is the state gonna come to their senses and give these people what they deserve?

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On 7/14/09 at 7:23 PM, maineworkr wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

12 of those arrested are under the age of 30 and one teen. Do they realize even a little bit what they have done to themselves? A felony follows you for life. As a felon you cant even work at WALMART! Most health professions wont take you. SO when jail time is all over and thay are back on the streets, what then, we support them? They Pump gas? Try to make a living on minimum wage. Irving convenience stores wont even hire a felon last I knew. They have runined their lives for what? To get high and make enough money to buy the drugs to get you high. Get a life people. Grow up, get a grip on reality, you have to work to make it in this world, you cant retire on the cocaine plan.

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On 7/16/09 at 7:38 PM, voiceofreason wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Both Steve and Dawn DID go to the methadone clinic, and blew every chance they ever had there. I just hope Dawn's son, and thier little girl are safe. Dawn is so infested with her disease, she even believes herself. Rot in your orange jammies, folks. There is a chance for everyone who wants it.

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