By Julia Bayly
Bangor Daily News Staff Writer
HOULTON — A Sanford man convicted earlier this summer of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs was sentenced
last week in Aroostook County Superior court to 14 years in prison, with all but nine years suspended, according to information released by Assistant District Attorney Kurt Kafferlin.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Kevin M. Cuddy also ordered Michael O. Fox, 33, to serve four years of probation following his release from prison.
Fox was convicted of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs on June 18 for his involvement in manufacturing methamphetamines in November 2011. The Class A crime was elevated to aggravated because of Fox’s prior felony-level drug convictions and carried a possible maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a minimum sentence of 4 years in prison.
The case against Fox began in November 2011 when he was spotted by Chief Deputy Craig Clossey of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department as Fox was pulled over on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Route 1 in Bridgewater.
Clossey witnessed Fox assaulting a woman in the car and immediately intervened, arresting Fox on an outstanding warrant and charging him with domestic violence assault.
During the arrest, according to Kafferlin, Clossey discovered several items in the vehicle used to manufacture methamphetamines.
A subsequent Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigation revealed evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing in a shed behind the Presque Isle home of Fox’s mother.
Fox, who is represented by attorney Michael Carpenter of Houlton, was found guilty on the domestic violence assault charge in January and sentenced to 15 days in jail.
During the Aug. 21 sentencing, according to Kafferlin, the defendant expressed his remorse for the drug crime and admitted his guilt.
“The Office of the District Attorney is pleased that the court has continued to take seriously the dangerous nature of methamphetamine and the manufacturing process,” Kafferlin said. “The successful prosecution of this case is attributable to hard work and cooperation of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.”
