Somerset County sheriff’s deputies seized drugs, a gun, cash and drug packaging equipment Thursday morning during a drug search in Pittsfield.
Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said a local man was arrested and that the seized drugs and paraphernalia are valued at almost $30,000.
The search warrant was carried out at 5:50 a.m. Thursday on Nichols Street in Pittsfield, the home of Todd Anderson Jr. and Rebecca Root.
Anderson, 21, was arrested and charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in heroin/Fentanyl, Class A aggravated trafficking in cocaine, Class C possession of heroin/Fentanyl, and Class C possession of cocaine. The Class C charges carry a 20-year prison sentence if Anderson is convicted.
The charges against Anderson are aggravated because the home is within 1,000 feet of Manson Park, which is a designated safe zone in Pittsfield. The charges are also aggravated due to the amount of drugs seized, and because Anderson has a prior drug conviction, according to Lancaster.
A probation hold was also placed on Anderson, who currently is on probation for possession of scheduled drugs. Additional charges may be forthcoming against Anderson once all of the seized items are tested, Lancaster said.
Root has not been arrested and has not been charged.
Lancaster said Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi II led a team of three sheriff’s detectives and four deputies in the early morning drug raid. Also present was Pittsfield Police Chief Peter Bickmore, officers from the Pittsfield Police Department and officers from the State Office of Probation and Parole.
During the execution of the search warrant, police seized approximately 96 grams of heroin/Fentanyl, 40 grams of cocaine, 145 Oxycodone 30-mg. pills, digital scales, a .45 caliber pistol, $6,618 in cash, numerous controlled pills, drug packaging material and drug related paraphernalia. Lancaster said the approximate value of the seized drugs is $29,000.
Lancaster said the search warrant was the culmination of a joint investigation between the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and the Pittsfield Police Department regarding heroin, Fentanyl, and cocaine that were allegedly being sold in the Pittsfield and Somerset County area.
Other people connected to or associated with the Pittsfield residence may be charged once the case is reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office, according to Lancaster.
Anderson’s initial arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 12 in the Somerset County Unified Court in Skowhegan. Anderson’s bail has been set at $25,000, but he remains in custody on a probation hold, the sheriff said.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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