MACHIAS – A Baileyville man has been sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated drug trafficking offenses involving prescription drugs.

James E. Storey, 37, was sentenced Tuesday by Chief Justice Nancy Mills, sitting in Washington County Superior Court.

The crime, which involved selling the drugs Demerol and OxyContin to an undercover officer, took place Feb. 19 and 20 in Baileyville.

The charges were aggravated because of Storey’s prior felony drug conviction in 1990. Storey also is scheduled to stand trial later this month for burglary.

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Storey couldn’t learn from past mistakes,” Assistant Attorney General Matt Erickson, who prosecuted the case, said in a prepared statement after the sentencing. “Perhaps four years in prison will impress upon him that the people of Maine will not tolerate drug dealers in their midst.”

In May, a Washington County grand jury indicted Storey, Michael J. MacKenzie, 22, and Robert Shawn MacKenzie, 24, both of Baileyville, and Paul K. Legasse, 22, of Camden on charges of burglary, attempted burglary, two counts of criminal mischief and obstructing the report of a crime.

The burglary incident took place July 16, 2001, at the residence of an elderly couple on the South Princeton Road in Princeton. Believing that the couple had a large amount of cash, the four men allegedly disabled the couple’s vehicle and cut telephone wires before trying to pry open a window screen.

The couple’s dog scared off the intruders. Unable to contact police and fearing the men would return, the 85-year-old homeowner sat up with a shotgun from around 10 p.m. until dawn, when he went to a neighbor’s home to report the crime.

In August, Storey’s alleged companion, Michael J. MacKenzie was sentenced to four years in prison for his part in the botched robbery. Jury selection for Storey, Robert Shawn MacKenzie and Paul K. Legasse is expected to begin Oct. 28.

The drug charges were investigated by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’ Department and the Pleasant Point Police Department.

“Despite scarce resources, cooperation among state, county and local authorities is beginning to put the squeeze on the drug trade in Washington County,” Attorney General Steven Rowe said in the statement.