November 07, 2024
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Grand jury indicts 2 Waldo County men

BANGOR – Two Waldo County men accused of having one of the largest drug caches ever uncovered in Maine were indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury.

Robert Orchard, 54, of Northport and Russell Belden, 38, of Brooks each are charged with six counts related to the possession and trafficking of cocaine and heroin and with weapons violations.

After their May 10 arrests, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency displayed drugs, guns and money found at the men’s homes. More than 1 pound of cocaine, 1,640 packets of heroin, $6,800 in cash and a half-dozen handguns were uncovered in a raid described by MDEA agent supervisor George Connick as one of the largest drug busts in state history.

Beldon and Orchard each are charged with possession of a firearm by a felon; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin and aiding and abetting the commission of those crimes; possession with the intent to distribute heroin; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; aiding and abetting the commission of those crimes; and possession of a firearm to further drug-trafficking crimes.

They each were charged with a criminal forfeiture count that will force them to relinquish $7,770 in alleged drug profits, two revolvers and a pistol if they are convicted.

They also face the possibility of decades in prison, more than $2 million in fines or both. They are in state custody.

Also indicted by the federal grand jury were two Aroostook County men charged with robbing an Irving Mainway Store in Fort Fairfield on April 18.

Timothy Joseph Frost, 19, of Woodland and Richard Allen Clements, 23, of Caribou, also known as Richard Stahursky, each are charged with Hobbs Act robbery, using and carrying a firearm in a crime of violence, and possession of a stolen firearm. Hobbs Act robbery is a federal offense carrying stiffer penalties.

If convicted, each faces the possibility of more than 30 years in prison, a $500,000 fine or both. According to the indictment, the pair allegedly used a .22-caliber pistol, entered the Irving Mainway Store and stole $70 and several cartons of cigarettes.

They both are in state custody on related charges.

Ronald Evans, 22, of Brewer and New York was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. If convicted, he faces the possibility of 10 to 40 years in prison and up to a $2 million fine. He is detained.

Carl J. Spencer, 40, of Bangor is charged with receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and receiving obscene materials. If convicted, he faces the possibility of 25 years in prison, $750,000 in fines or both. He is released on a $5,000 unsecured bond to a third-party custodian and is subject to bail conditions.


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