The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency announces the arrests of seven people in Washington County , Maine for drug trafficking charges.
Arrested were:
Kayla Thistlewood (27) of Baileyville, Me
Franz Morris (57) of New Bedford, Ma
Bailey Bryant (24) of Jonesboro, Me
David Seale (36) of New Bedford, Ma
Cole Kennedy (35) of Milbridge
Matthew Small (42) of Cherryfield.
Jonathan Johnson (37) of Columbia
For the past month, MDEA agents initiated an investigation after identifying a New Bedford, MA based drug trafficking network was trafficking significant quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and heroin/fentanyl for distribution in Hancock and Washington counties. During the investigation agents revealed out of state dealers would travel to Maine, recruit local drug distributors to increase their customer base. The out of state dealers distributed their drugs from local residences in exchange for money and /or drugs. Agents conducted undercover purchases of illegal drugs from the group.
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Agents stopped a vehicle on Route 182 in Cherryfield that was being operated by Kayla Thistlewood (27) of Baileyville and East Machias. The passenger in that vehicle was Franz Morris (57) of New Bedford, MA. Thistlewood is currently on federal probation as a result of an August 2020 incident where MDEA agents found her in possession of 263g of fentanyl, 43.1g of cocaine and 41.8 of cocaine base. Agents determined Thistlewood was in violation of her probation and was arrested on behalf of the United Stated Probation and Parole Office. With the assistance of a drug detection K-9 from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, agents seized 74g of cocaine HCl, 36.9g of cocaine base and 6.1g of fentanyl from Morris. Morris was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail for Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs. Also arrested during the same investigation was Bailey Bryant (24) of Jonesboro for Violation of Conditions of Release.
On January 15, 2021, with the assistance of the Maine State Police Tactical Team and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, MDEA agents executed three search warrants in the towns of Columbia, Cherryfield and Milbridge. Agents arrested Matthew Small (42) of Cherryfield and David Seale (36) of New Bedford, MA for class A Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule W Drugs (Cocaine). Also arrested was Cole Kennedy (35) of Milbridge for Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Heroin/Fentanyl).
On January 18, 2021, with the assistance of the State Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Johnson (37) of Columbia was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail for Class A Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs.
Arrest photos are available at the Washington County Jail. The investigation is ongoing with additional arrests are expected.
Assisting Agencies: Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police and the Department of Homeland Security.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in this state, you are urged to contact the MDEA office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or calling the MDEA tip-line at 800-452-6457.