ORRINGTON, Maine — The man who rented the home set ablaze early Sunday and later damaged by gunshots was arrested for trafficking in heroin, Darrell Crandall, MDEA division commander for northern Maine, said Tuesday.
David Ireland, 46, was charged with Class B drug trafficking early Sunday evening after firefighters and police, and later MDEA agents, responded to the home he rents at 312 Johnson Mill Road that was hit by an arsonist about 2:15 a.m. Sunday.
“We did charge him with trafficking in heroin,” Crandall said.
About $500 worth of heroin was found at Ireland’s residence.
“We’re alleging it was possession with the intent to distribute,” the MDEA commander said.
The Johnson Mill Road investigation led drug agents to a considerable amount of street drugs at another residence, Crandall said Monday.
“We executed a search warrant at another residence … and have seized a substantial quantity of drugs,” he said.
Because of the ongoing investigation, the type of drugs seized and the exact amount are still being withheld, Crandall said Tuesday.
No one has been charged in the drug raid at the second residence, he said.
The arsonist poured an accelerant three-quarters of the way around the home and then ignited the flammable liquid, Sgt. Ken Grimes of the state fire marshal’s office said Monday.
After the fire was started, the arsonist or someone else took out a gun and fired at the residence, which had people inside, Penobscot County Sheriff Glenn Ross confirmed Monday.
Most of the fire was extinguished with a garden hose by the landlord of the rental property, who lives nearby.
Ireland was booked into the Penobscot County Jail in Bangor about 5 p.m. Sunday and was later released, a jail official said.
Fire investigators have not made an arrest for the arson, but “have a person of interest,” Grimes said. The sheriff’s department is still investigating who is responsible for the gunshots.
Two people recently had been visiting Ireland, who has lived at the Johnson Mill Road home for about a year, a neighbor said.
Ireland, who has convictions for criminal threatening, disorderly conduct and assault, according to court listings printed in the Bangor Daily News, faces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted of felony drug trafficking.
The headline reads like the renter was hit by gunfire and arrested. BDN suckers me in again.
How about “Human garbage strikes again”?
Oh David. When WILL you grow up?
Hmmm, drug deal gone bad? Crossed the wrong person? Shorted someone their drugs? Seems maybe bad things happen to bad people.
Well, yes, I think that it’s a given that it was a drug deal gone bad considering they arrested him for drug trafficking.
Still, Mr. Ireland has never been one to be particularly mature and sensible – even in his youth. Most of us figured that his wretched attitude would follow him throughout his time on earth.
I will tell you what I would rather have David for a friend then you anytime. He was a great kid growing up in Orrington. His mom and dad where wonderful people. David would do anything for anyone in need. Some people get in a mess or too once in awhile. Does mean they are bad.You must live in a glass house on top of Kings Mountain.
No, I don’t live in a glass house. I watched him pick fights with others growing up – live and in person.
You can defend him as a friend all you want, but the people in that neighborhood stood the chance of being blown to smithereens. That’s certainly NOT the first time the police have been to that residence.
Maybe you should extend a hand to him now because he’s in trouble deep.
You sound like a drama queen from mountainmama Orrington, Me. 04474. Maybe you should calm down. Thats right Drama Queen!!!!
Queen? I get to be queen? It’s good to be the queen – thank you. :)
But, I’m not the one talking in “!!!!” big bear.
Gunshots and arson. Huh. Should the neighbors just shrug that off as “good clean fun?” and leave it at that?
big bear says he was a great guy as kids, maybe he needs to regress?
At age 46, probably never. You are what you are at that point in life.
The victim was the one arrested?
From the article:
“David Ireland, 46, was charged with Class B drug trafficking early Sunday evening after firefighters and police, and later MDEA agents, responded to the home he rents at 312 Johnson Mill Road that was hit by an arsonist about 2:15 a.m. Sunday.
“We did charge him with trafficking in heroin,” Crandall said.
About $500 worth of heroin was found at Ireland’s residence.
“We’re alleging it was possession with the intent to distribute,” the MDEA commander said.
The Johnson Mill Road investigation led drug agents to a considerable amount of street drugs at another residence, Crandall said Monday.”
“Victim?”…meh, probably not.
Yeah, isn’t that always the way? You’re minding your own business distributing narcotics, and then some jagoff comes along and for no obvious reason sets your house on fire, and then the cops show up and find your stash. Friggin’ typical! A man can’t do anything in this state any more.
Stop doing drugs. Stop hurting each other. Grow up.
Stop doing drugs. Stop hurting each other. Grow up.
Flush em all out and make this world a better place.
This is a pretty horrid situation for the neighbors who are crowded around this bunch.
This being not the first time the cops have been there, I should hope that the ‘landlord’ takes notice and gets rid of his renter.
It’s pretty sad that kids in the neighborhood have to bear witness to this totally stupid activity.