Drug seizure

On April 18, 2022, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Tpr. Murray conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation at mile marker 124 northbound, on I-95 in Waterville. After observing several indicators of criminal activity, Murray conducted a roadside investigation. As a result, Troopers learned that the occupants Michael A. Bridges, 49, and Elizabeth Cole, 31, were in possession of 880 grams of fentanyl, already packaged for re-distribution.

Trooper Eric Bronson and Waterville PD Officer Makayla Hodge assisted in the investigation. The pair were charged with Class A - Aggravated Trafficking. Bridges was also charged with Violation Conditions of Release. The pair were taken to Kennebec County Jail.

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Maine State Police along with partners from FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Oxford, and Norway Police Departments conducted two traffic stops in the town of Oxford targeting ongoing criminal activity. During the traffic stops, three people were arrested on various charges following searches and seizures of drugs and a pistol. 

During the first traffic stop law enforcement officers discovered the driver, 32-year-old Maurice James of Portland was on probation for trafficking drugs, and his passenger, 28-year-old Brianna Reeve of Oxford was on five sets of bail conditions. During the second traffic stop the passenger in the car, 30-year-old Tiffany Russell of Lisbon was found to have three active warrants for her arrest. The driver was not charged.  

Following the traffic stops, which both occurred on Mechanic Falls Rd. (Rt. 121) in Oxford, a search warrant for a residence in the town of Oxford was obtained by State Police and the residence was searched. 

Located during the traffic stops and at the residence were 204 grams of fentanyl, 12 grams of cocaine base, a quantity of methamphetamine, $1064 of suspected drug proceeds, and one pistol that had been thrown out of one of the vehicles during the traffic stop. The following individuals were arrested, with more arrests expected as the investigation continues:

•    Maurice James was charged with Probation Violation (on probation for trafficking drugs), Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl, Aggravated Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person
•    Brianna Reeve was charged with Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl, Aggravated Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person
•    Tiffany Russell was arrested on three active warrants, charged with Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl

Both Maurice James and Brianna Reeve were taken to the Oxford County Jail. Tiffany Russell was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail. Please contact the jail for booking photos.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at approximately 12:07 p.m. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Detectives responded to 26 Oak Street Apt. 2 in Oakland at the request of the Oakland Police Department. 21-year-old Ashley Malloy called 911 to report her 14-month-old child, Karson Malloy was having a medical emergency. The child was transported to Inland hospital in Waterville where he was pronounced dead. After a preliminary investigation, State Police Detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the apartment the child and mother lived in. Inside the apartment, Detectives located  5.85 lbs. of fentanyl, 3.4 lbs. of methamphetamine, 1.35 pounds of crack cocaine, and $2,262 in cash and other items indicative of drug trafficking.

Malloy was charged Thursday, November 4, 2021, by MDEA with Class “A” Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W drugs as a result of what was seized at the house. Malloy was arrested Thursday evening and released on unsecured bond.
The street value of the drugs seized was in the neighborhood of $700,000.

The drugs were turned over to the Maine Drug Enforcement agency while State Police Detectives continue to work with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause of the child’s death.