March 28, 2007

Maine man pleads guilty to federal drug, money laundering, bulk cash smuggling and structuring charges

BANGOR, MAINE - United States Attorney Paula D. Silsby announced that Michael Easler, 27, formerly of St. David, Maine, pled guilty on March 27, 2007, in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to import drugs, conspiracy to distribute and distribution of marijuana, conspiracy to launder money, money laundering, structuring and bulk cash smuggling.

Easler was indicted on Sept. 7, 2006. On the various charges, Easler faces possible sentences of five years and up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $4,000,000.

Court records reveal that from Jan. 2003 to at least March 2006, Easler conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute marijuana. Between 2003 and 2004, Easler was primarily involved serving as a marijuana smuggler and distributor for another conspirator. At the direction of one of his co-conspirators, Easler smuggled multi-pound quantities of marijuana from Canada into the United States across the St. John River. The marijuana was sold by Easler and a co-conspirator to the co-conspirator's customers. Easler also would deliver large sums of cash to his co-conspirator, which represented the proceeds of marijuana sales.

Court records also reveal that, to avoid having to report a large cash transaction to the IRS, specifically the purchase of a vehicle from and Aroostook County auto dealership, a co-conspirator paid a $5,000 cash deposit on the vehicle and provided Easler with approximately $14,500 in cash which Easler used to open a checking account. After opening the checking account, Easler used a "counter check" to pay $9,500 to the auto dealership and an additional $5,000 in cash for the vehicle, which was conveyed to his co-conspirator. All the money used to purchase the vehicle represented the proceeds of marijuana sales. Subsequently, Easler stole $100,000 in cash drug proceeds from one of his co-conspirators in Canada, concealed the case on his person and smuggled it into the United States in April 2004.

United States Attorney Silsby praised the investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Maine State Police, and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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