June 19, 2008

Two convicted by jury on federal drug and Social Security fraud charges

BANGOR, Maine – Two Maine residents were convicted following a jury trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine on federal drug and social security fraud charges after a multi-agency law enforcement investigation.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Paula D. Silsby and Bruce M. Foucart, special agent-in-charge of ICE Office of Investigations in Boston.  United States Attorney Silsby praised the investigation conducted by ICE, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Office of the Inspector General-Social Security Administration.  United States Attorney Silsby also recognized the contributions of the Maine State Police, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Madawaska Maine Police Department to the investigation.

Following a 5-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine, which ended on June 18, 2008, Anthony Caparotta, 42, of Caribou, Maine, and Raymond Fogg, 54, of Winn, Maine, were found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana.   Fogg was also found guilty of Social Security fraud.  The jury also found that a vehicle owned by Caparotta represented the proceeds of his drug trafficking activity.

The evidence presented during the trial revealed that between 2003 and 2006, Caparotta and Fogg conspired with Michael Pelletier and others to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana.  The evidence revealed that the marijuana had been smuggled into the United States from Canada across the St. John River in Northern Aroostook County by people working for Pelletier.  Thereafter, the marijuana was distributed in multi-pound quantities to various re-distributors, including Caparotta and Fogg.  Michael Pelletier, formerly of St. David, Maine, was convicted after trial in July 2007 and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.  The evidence also revealed that during his involvement in the conspiracy, Fogg was receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, yet failed to report his work to the Social Security Administration.

Caparotta faces a possible sentence of up to forty years imprisonment and up to a $2 million fine, or both, on the drug trafficking conviction.  Fogg faces a possible sentence up to forty years imprisonment and up to a $1 million fine, or both, on the drug trafficking conviction and up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, or both, on the social security fraud conviction. 

-- ICE --