By Ethan Andrews, BDN Writer
An Aroostook County man pleaded guilty on Thursday to his role in a methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation in northern Maine.
From January 2018 to December 2021, James Valiante, 42, of Linneus, described by the U.S. Department of Justice as a drug dealer based in Aroostook County, allegedly regularly got drugs from a source in Bangor as part of a trafficking operation in Penobscot and Aroostook counties and elsewhere, according to court records cited by the DOJ in a news release.
Valiante faces 10 years to life in prison to be followed by up to five years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10 million, according to the DOJ.
He is one of 21 people to have been charged in the drug ring. Ten have been sentenced and nine others, including Valiante, have pleaded guilty.
Those previously sentenced are: Andrew Adams, 32, of Aroostook County, 10 years; Wayne Smith, 33, of Bangor, 85 months; Danielle McBreairty, 34, of Glenburn, 20 years; Blaine Footman, 38, of Bangor, five years; Nicole Footman, 41, of Holden, three years; Dwight Gary, Jr., 54, of Medway, time served; Matthew Catalano, 38, of Penobscot County, 165 months; Thomas Hammond, 26, of Charleston, 84 months; Christopher Coty, 44, of Bangor, four years; James King, 55, of Caribou, 165 months
Those who have pleaded guilty are: Sarah McBreairty, 36, Dixmont; John Miller, 23, of Caribou; Shelby Loring, 29, of Bangor; Joshua Young, 48, of Presque Isle; Joshua Jerrell, 30, of Orrington; Carol Gordon, 53, of Bangor; Jason Cunrod, 42, of Caribou; Aaron Rodgers, 43, of Bangor; and Valiante.
