PORTLAND, Maine — A New York man was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 21 years in prison for his role in the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Lewiston, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
James Winbrone, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, also was sentenced to six years of supervised release.
He was found guilty on Sept. 30, 2015, of possession with the intent to distribute heroin and distributing cocaine base after a two-day, jury-waived trial, according to a previously published report.
Winbrone was involved in the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Lewiston on April 10, 2014, and Oct. 28, 2014, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. On Jan. 14, 2015, crack cocaine and heroin were seized at a Lewiston apartment used by the defendant.
His sentence was enhanced because of his leadership role in the drug distribution ring and his involvement in the assault of a customer who owed him a drug debt, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the U.S. attorney’s office.
Winbrone faced up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.
The investigation was conducted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State Police and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force, which is composed of agents and officers from other federal law enforcement agencies and the Portland and Biddeford police departments. Assistance also was provided by the Lewiston and Auburn police departments and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.