AUGUSTA — A Sidney man will spend an initial five years behind bars for trafficking in heroin in a “safe children zone,” near the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers home and a park in Waterville.
Ryan J. Farnham, 27, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated trafficking that occurred March 31, 2016, in Waterville, and agreed to criminal forfeiture of $485 cash seized from him July 6, 2016, also in Waterville.
Committing a crime in a safe zone aggravates the offense and the available penalties.
He was sentenced to five years in prison, with the remainder of the 10-year term suspended, and three years of probation.
In exchange for the plea and the forfeiture, a number of other charges against Farnham were dismissed. They included two counts of aggravated trafficking in heroin, one count of conspiracy to commit a crime or crime and unlawful possession of heroin, all occurring in the period of March 31 to July 5, 2016, in Waterville.
He was arrested July 6, 2016, during a traffic stop in Waterville and after a months-long investigation by Waterville police into drug trafficking in the city.
Farnham was represented by Jeffrey Towne. The prosecutor was Assistant District Attorney Francis Griffin.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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