Hearing postponed in prostitution case Accused pair being held on drug charges

PITTSFIELD – It’s really hard to be in two places at once, commented Penobscot County Assistant District Attorney Margaret Gray on Wednesday morning.

That’s why she postponed the Wednesday morning arraignment on prostitution charges for Debra Sinclair, 34, and Michael Stanley, 41, both of Columbia. The couple were arrested in Newport last month for promoting prostitution but were arrested again last Friday in Columbia and charged with trafficking in drugs.

There wasn’t enough time for the District Attorney’s Office to obtain the necessary paperwork to bring the couple to Newport, said Gray. Their arraignment on the prostitution charges has been set for May 1 in Newport District Court.

In that case, the couple were arrested after an undercover police officer responded to advertisements left around town by the couple, who called themselves “Harley and Hog.”

Sinclair was charged with promoting prostitution, while Stanley was charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, OxyContin; promotion of prostitution and violation of conditions of release.

In Calais District Court on Tuesday, the couple were arraigned on charges of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, cocaine. The bail conditions for their earlier arrests allowed for random searches of their home for illegal drugs.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Maine State Police went to the couple’s Columbia home last Friday to execute such a search. Upon their arrival, Stanley fled into a wooded area behind the residence but soon was located.

During the search, police said, they found 17 packages of cocaine with a street value of more than $2,000. Also seized were prescription narcotics, marijuana and cash.

Bail in the drug case has been set at $25,000 single surety for Stanley and $15,000 for Sinclair.