Man pleads to cocaine trafficking charges

PARIS — A 52-year-old Greenwood man will return to court for sentencing at a later date after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges on Monday.

Frank Andrew Damon III, of Richardson Hollow Road admitted in Oxford County Superior Court to trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to commit trafficking in cocaine. Damon also chose not to contest the forfeiture of $2,166 in cash and nine firearms.

Assistant Attorney General David Fisher said Damon was charged with being in possession of 71 grams of cocaine when police searched his camper in November. Police also found scales, sandwich bags, money and firearms — four shotguns, three rifles and two pistols, Fisher said.

Police also arrested Cindy Estep, 54, of Otisfield and Bruce E. Dunlap, 36, of Oxford on cocaine trafficking charges in November. Last month, Estep pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking and agreed to the forfeiture of $8,625 and four firearms. Her sentencing date was delayed for six months.

Fisher said Estep told police she picked up cocaine in Connecticut and distributed most of it to Damon to sell. Damon was initially charged with aggravated drug trafficking due to the belief that the guns were used during the crimes, but he pleaded to a reduced charge after a reference to the firearms was removed.

Fisher said he would recommend a prison sentence of eight years with all but three and a half years suspended. Defense lawyer William Maselli said he would ask for no jail time or a sentence of less than nine months, which Damon could serve in a county jail rather than a prison.

According to the indictment, the firearms and half of the seized money will go to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Thirty percent of the remaining cash will go to the Maine State Police; 10 percent each will go to the Oxford County Sheriff's Office and the Rumford Police Department.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com