BANGOR, Maine — A Carmel woman pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to being part of a crack cocaine drug ring that operated in Penobscot County.
Fern Dowling, 41, was charged in May with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 280 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack,” according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
A sentencing date has not been set.
Between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2013, Dowling sold crack cocaine, according to the prosecution version of events to which she pleaded guilty. She sold half-gram bags for $50 and gram bags for $100.
By pleading guilty, Dowling admitted to transferring the proceeds of her sales to her supplier in the New Haven, Connecticut, area. She received cash and crack cocaine in exchange.
The drug was transported from Connecticut to the Bangor area by other conspirators, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Dowling faces between 10 years and up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.
She has been held without bail since May, according to the court’s electronic case filing system.