Bangor man gets prison time for distribution of cocaine

BANGOR – A Bangor man was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to more than five years in prison for distributing cocaine and cocaine base, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

U.S. District Attorney Paula Silsby announced that Manuel Horta, 29, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, four years of supervised release, and $200 in special assessments. He pleaded guilty to the charges Oct. 10, 2007.

Court records showed that on Aug. 30, 2006, a drug enforcement agency informant purchased a half-ounce of cocaine and a half-ounce of cocaine base from Horta as part of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Bangor Task Force. In addition, 300 grams of cocaine, two firearms, and more than $6,000 were seized.

The Justice Department also announced that Sylvie Deschenes, 41, of Canada was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court to eight weeks in prison, one year supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 for attempted illegal re-entry into the United States after having been denied entry and ordered removed.

Deschenes pleaded guilty to the charge on Feb. 7, 2008.