Bangor Duo Sentenced in Heroin Haven Case

BANGOR, MAINE – A Bangor couple is facing time in federal prison after admitting to turning their home into a heroin distribution center. Daniel Lyons, 42, and Laura Lyons, 31, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court, Chief Judge Nancy Torresen delivering the penalties for maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Daniel Lyons received a three-year prison sentence, while Laura Lyons will spend two years behind bars. Both will also be subject to three years of supervised release upon their eventual release. The sentences stem from guilty pleas entered earlier in 2016: Daniel Lyons on March 28th, and Laura Lyons on April 12th.

Court records reveal a brazen operation that ran from January to December 2014. The Lyons’ residence on Essex Street served as a storage and sales point for heroin, effectively transforming their home into a haven for drug dealers. The couple wasn’t motivated by altruism, however – they were directly compensated for their role in the illegal enterprise, receiving heroin as payment.

Federal investigators detailed how the Lyons knowingly allowed drug dealers to operate within their home, facilitating the sale of heroin to customers throughout the Bangor area. The arrangement provided a secure location for dealing and storage, while lining the pockets – or rather, supplying the habit – of the couple.

The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA). Assistant United States Attorney Joel B. Casey led the prosecution, securing the convictions and subsequent sentencing. Casey can be reached at (207) 945-0373.

This case serves as a stark reminder that those who facilitate drug trafficking, even by simply providing a location, will face serious federal consequences. U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II’s office continues to prioritize dismantling drug operations and holding accountable those who profit from the misery of others in Maine communities.