RUMFORD — Eight adults from Rumford, Mexico and Wilton were charged Friday with drug crimes involving methamphetamine, prescription drugs, fentanyl and alpha-methyl acetyl fentanyl, according to Rumford police Chief Tony Milligan.
In a statement Tuesday, Milligan said his department recently joined forces with the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force in “ongoing efforts to reduce the flow of dangerous drugs in the community and to reduce violent crime and property crimes that are often associated with this destructive activity.”
Milligan said officers and agents assisted Rumford police with surveillance as well as search and arrest warrant operations in Rumford and Mexico.
In all, police charged Lona Judd, Rashaud Lavoie, Daniel Blair and David Cavanaugh, all of Rumford; Jeremy Abbott and Christopher Durant, both of Mexico; Nicole Allen of Wilton; and Zachary Boutilier, who did not provide an address.
Judd, 44, was charged with aggravated trafficking in fentanyl (Class A felony), unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class C felony) and unlawful possession of nonnarcotic prescription drugs (Class D misdemeanor) resulting from an arrest warrant and search warrant execution at her apartment.
Police say they were conducting surveillance at a known spot for drug use and trafficking activity on Riverside Avenue in Mexico when Judd was observed there. Officers knew Judd to be wanted for aggravated fentanyl trafficking from a previous investigation and subsequently pulled her over to take her into custody.
While doing so, officers say they discovered a young male adult apparently overdosing in Judd’s car. Judd informed officers that the male had consumed drugs and had been given Narcan. Moments later, officers observed the male go unconscious and stop breathing. The officers immediately intervened and administered additional doses of Narcan to initiate breathing again while a call went out for paramedics to respond. The individual was revived on scene and transported to Rumford Hospital by MedCare Ambulance.
Rumford police drug detection dog Niko searched Judd and her vehicle, and alerted officers to the presence of drugs on Judd’s person and in her car, according to police. The K-9 team and other officers also executed a search warrant at Judd’s apartment where police say they seized approximately 10½ grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of fentanyl and 3 grams of alpha-methyl acetyl fentanyl (a purer, laboratory-grade form of fentanyl), and nearly 50 nonnarcotic prescription drugs that were illegally possessed. Judd was transported to the Oxford County Jail.
Lavoie, 30, was charged with failing to abide by the terms of his probation following his convictions in 2016 and 2021 for two counts of aggravated drug trafficking, three counts of felony possession of fentanyl, and felony forgery. During his arrest Friday, officers report finding approximately half a gram of fentanyl. Lavoie, was also charged with unlawful possession of fentanyl (Class C felony). Niko assisted officers with a search of Lavoie’s apartment, where police say he located drug paraphernalia but no additional drugs.
Lavoie was ordered held without bail and transported to the Oxford County Jail.
Blair, 41, was arrested at Lona Judd’s apartment in Rumford on a warrant charging failure to appear to answer a charge of felony trafficking of methamphetamine.
In July, Officer Robert Haseltine conducted a traffic stop in Rumford resulting in the seizure of approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine from a vehicle where Blair allegedly was a passenger. At that time, Blair was not arrested, pending further investigation. When Blair was arrested on Friday, no additional drugs were found and he was transported to the Oxford County Jail.
Boutilier, 23, who refused to provide an address, was arrested on Mexico Avenue in Mexico on multiple warrants from the Rumford District Court and Oxford County Superior Court charging failure to appear to answer Rumford charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, disorderly conduct and violation of conditions of release; and Oxford County charges of felony possession of fentanyl, felony possession of methamphetamine, illegal possession of a firearm and violation of conditions of release. Boutilier was taken to the Oxford County Jail.
Abbott, 43, was arrested on Lincoln Avenue in Rumford on a warrant charging failure to appear to answer a drug possession charge. Marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found at the time of his arrest, but no additional charges were filed. Abbott was transported to the Oxford County Jail.
Christopher Durant, 37, was arrested on Main Street in Mexico on a warrant charging failure to appear for a theft case in Mexico. Drug paraphernalia was found but no drugs. Durant was transported to the Oxford County Jail.
Allen, 34, was summoned for unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class D misdemeanor) after police say they observed her while conducting drug trafficking surveillance on Main Street in Mexico.
Police say they seized approximately one dosage unit of methamphetamine and associated drug paraphernalia. Allen is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 3 in Rumford District Court.
Cavanaugh, 53, was summoned for unlawful possession of methamphetamine Rumford police were surveilling near Falmouth Street when they contacted Cavanaugh. According to police, nearly 1 gram of methamphetamine was seized from Cavanaugh, who is scheduled to appear in Rumford District Court on Oct. 3.
Milligan said he knows that with limited resources, Rumford PD cannot combat this problem alone, but when agencies work together the needle can be moved.
“The influx of methamphetamine and fentanyl use and trafficking across the country affects everyone today. Whether it involves a family member or friend or a member of the community, these dangerous drugs impact us all one way or another,” he said. “We’ve all seen the death and destruction of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the problem requires a coordinated response ranging from education in the schools and referrals for treatment through the OPTIONS Program, to enforcement activity. As a community, our best way to combat this cancer is through active collaboration and action.”
In addition to Rumford and FBI resources, Friday’s operations included officers representing Mexico police, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police and other law enforcement agencies.
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