Marijuana ring verdict expected by week’s end

BANGOR – Testimony in the trial of two men accused of distributing marijuana for an Aroostook County man convicted of heading up the operation is scheduled to resume today in U.S. District Court.

The jury trial of Raymond “Rocky” Fogg, 55, of Winn and Anthony Caparotta, 42, of Caribou began Thursday. A verdict is expected by the end of the week.

Both are charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana. In addition, Fogg is charged with Social Security fraud.

Adam Hafford, 38, of Westfield is expected to return to the stand and continue describing how he swam the St. John River numerous times with more than 60 pounds of marijuana on his back for Michael Pelletier, 57, of St. David. He was granted immunity on drug charges in exchange for his testimony against Pelletier and others.

Fogg and Caparotta allegedly acted as middlemen for Pelletier, who is serving a life sentence in federal prison.

Pelletier, who uses a wheelchair, was convicted in July of drug smuggling, money laundering and Social Security fraud after a weeklong trial. He is not expected to testify against Fogg and Caparotta.

Hafford, who is serving a 10-year federal sentence on a gun charge, testified last summer that he met Pelletier when both were incarcerated on state charges. Pelletier returned to his St. David home after his release in the spring of 2004. Hafford told the jury that he took Pelletier up on the job offer to smuggle drugs and help distribute them to customers in southern Maine when he was released a few months later.

He also told the jury that Pelletier paid $1,000 a pound for the marijuana in Canada, but sold it for between $2,400 and $2,800 a pound stateside. Hafford testified that he often was paid in drugs rather than cash and Pelletier let Hafford live in his camp across the road from the house where Pelletier lived with his girlfriend.

Also indicted in the drug smuggling operation were:

Michael Easler, 28, of St. David, for drug conspiracy, money laundering, bulk cash smuggling.

Ben Dionne, 28, of St. David, for drug conspiracy.

John “Scooch” or “Scoochy” Pascuccui, 50, of Gorham, for drug conspiracy.

Pascuccui originally was to be tried with Fogg and Caparotta but he is to be tried separately later this year.

Dionne, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada, is believed to be living in Canada, according to court documents.

Easler was sentenced in August to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charges. He admitted that he swam the marijuana across the river before Hafford took over his duties.

Archie Ladner, 44, of Easton, who was indicted separately, was found not guilty a year ago of drug charges. Ladner, who was accused of being Hafford’s driver, died May 25 of natural causes.

jharrison@bangordailynews.net

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