MDEA agents join police
to disrupt heroin trafficking ring
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Four men have been arrested for their involvement in the sale of heroin in the Star City.
| John Ansolini | Troy Marchant |
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| Joshua Willette | Brian Gilmer |
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Agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency joined officers from the Presque Isle Police Department, including Officer Kevin Reed and the department’s drug-tracking canine, Dozer, to investigate the sale of the drug from a home on Dragon Drive, about a block away from the SAD 1 school bus garage located on the Parsons Road.
“MDEA agents and Presque Isle police have charged four suspects following a criminal investigation into reports of heroin trafficking in the Star City. John Ansolini, 21, of Fort Fairfield, and Troy Marchant, 25, of Presque Isle, are charged with two counts of Class B unlawful trafficking in heroin,” said MDEA Division Commander Darrell Crandall.
“Joshua Willette, 24, of Presque Isle, was charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in heroin. Brian Gilmer, 23, of Presque Isle, is charged with Class B theft of a firearm and violation of conditions of release,” continued Crandall.
Crandall said the investigation began over the weekend following reports that heroin was being sold from a home on Dragon Drive in Presque Isle.
“Agents were able to purchase heroin on two occasions from Marchant and Ansolini, which agents allege came from Lorraine Michaud’s home on Dragon Drive,” he said.
Crandall said with warrant in hand, officers searched the residence, where they discovered several drug-related items.
“On the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 23, MDEA agents and Presque Isle police executed a search warrant at Michaud’s home, seizing heroin packaging, scales, a grinder with heroin residue, $890 in cash, a Glock 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine and 525 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Lorraine and her son, Joshua Willette, Troy Marchant, John Ansolini and two young children were present in the home at the time of the raid. Agents allege the heroin sold by Ansolini and Marchant came from Joshua Willette,” said Crandall.
Due to the close proximity of the firearm to the drug evidence, Crandall said Willette’s offense is considered aggravated.
“Agents and PIPD officers determined that the firearm seized from Willette belongs to Brian Gilmer’s father. Agents determined that Gilmer took it without his father’s permission, so he was charged with theft. Gilmer was already on bail for theft,” said Crandall.
All of the suspects were taken to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.
Crandall said heroin seizures and arrests have been on the rise across Maine for several months, working their way from south to north.
Information on drug crimes may be reported to the MDEA by calling 800-452-6457, visiting the MDEA’s website www.maine.gov/dps/mdea or contacting the agency’s Smartphone application for iPhone and Android at MyPD.
