HOULTON – A local man described as “one of the biggest pill dealers in Houlton” was ordered to serve eight months in jail and pay $2,900 in fines for selling drugs to supplement his retirement income.

Jesse Taylor, 63, was sentenced Tuesday in Aroostook County Superior Court on three charges related to selling OxyContin and Vicoprophen. “It’s unfortunate at this stage of the game that you’ve been selling drugs,” said Justice Paul T. Pierson, citing the publicity surrounding the prescription drugs that are being widely abused.

During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Lilley said Taylor has been selling pills in the area for “some time.” According to e-mail and regular mail confiscated by police, Taylor also had information on purchasing the drugs from other countries at discount prices.

Lilley said Taylor sold the drugs to supplement his Social Security Income.

Taylor’s defense attorney, Brian Swales of Houlton, said his client also made money by selling a car occasionally. His client lives in subsidized housing and didn’t live the “high lifestyle” associated with selling drugs, Swales said.

Swales also cited Taylor’s serious health conditions that could worsen during incarceration.

“He doesn’t have a very long life expectancy,” Swales said.

On the charge of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs in November 2000, Taylor was sentenced to two years in jail with all but eight months suspended, three years of probation and a $2,400 fine. On a charge of unsworn falsification, in which he lied about his status as a felon on a hunting license application in October 1999, he received a $500 fine.

He also was ordered to forfeit $600 that officials claim was money collected in payment for drugs.