2 men arrested in drug raid

FAYETTE – A local man suspected of dealing drugs whose residence was being searched by authorities was arrested Saturday after he attempted to set his bedroom on fire to destroy evidence, according to police in Somerset and Kennebec counties.

Timothy Sounier, 34, was charged with aggravated trafficking in a Scheduled W drug and falsifying physical evidence, according to Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department. Charges related to the fire will be forthcoming, said Gottardi.

Also arrested in connection with the alleged drug dealing at the residence was Terri Berube, 42, of Augusta.

Both Sounier and Berube were being held Sunday night at Kennebec County Jail. Sounier’s bail was set at $25,000 cash or $200,000 surety. Berube’s bail was set at $5,000.

Police with a warrant entered the home on Oak Hill Road, at which point Sounier allegedly ignited an accelerant in his bedroom.

Because deputies knew through the course of their investigation that Sounier might try such an action, they came armed with fire extinguishers and quickly doused the flames.

Police found more than 200 bags of heroin, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash at the residence. The evidence was seized.

Sounier, who has previous felony drug convictions, was out on bail after being charged with drug violations in Chelsea, Mass.