BANGOR, Maine – A Bangor man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor on Tuesday to drug conspiracy charges related to methamphetamine and fentanyl possession and distribution.
Aaron Rodgers, 43, and others trafficked the drugs in Penobscot and Aroostook County for three years, according to court documents.
As part of his plea agreement, Rodgers could be sentenced to as many as 20 years in prison and fined up to $1 million for possession and trafficking of methamphetamine and fentanyl.
In early 2018, Rodgers joined and participated in the conspiracy and its drug trafficking activities by regularly obtaining and selling drugs in the two counties, according to the state.
He was arrested in 2019 after selling a gram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. While out on bail in 2021, he was again arrested in Coe Park in Bangor.
Rodgers was in a white Cadillac Escalade with three others when an off-duty Portland police officer saw them selling drugs out of the vehicle, according to court records. Bangor Police responded.
A backpack at Rodgers’ feet contained methamphetamine, cocaine, cutting agents, a scale with white residue, a cell phone, a ledger and a computer, police said.
In court on Tuesday, Judge Lance E. Walker granted a motion requesting a transfer for Rodgers to participate in the Stafford Therapeutic Community Program at the Stafford County Jail in New Hampshire.
His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
In addition to Rodgers, defendants in the conspiracy who pleaded guilty include, Sarah McBreairty, 35, of Dixmont; John Miller, 22, of Caribou; Shelby Loring, 28, of Bangor; Joshua Young, 48, of Presque Isle; Joshua Jerrell, 29, of Orrington; Carol Gordon, 53, of Bangor; Jason Cunrod, 42, of Caribou; James King, 54, of Caribou.
Defendants already sentenced in the conspiracy include Christopher Cody, Bangor, 4 years; Andrew Adams, 32, of Aroostook County, 10 years; Wayne Smith, 33, of Bangor, 85 months; Danielle McBreairty, 33, of Glenburn, 20 years; Blaine Footman, 37, of Bangor, 5 years; Nicole Footman, 40, of Holden, 3 years; Dwight Gary, Jr., 53, of Medway, time served; Matthew Catalano, 37, of Penobscot County, 165 months; Thomas Hammond, 25, of Charleston, 84 months.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the police departments in Orono, Bangor, Brewer, Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton. U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee also recognized the cooperation and coordination provided by the Maine State Attorney General’s Office and the Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office.
