Hartland Fentanyl Dealer Gets 14 Years

BANGOR, Maine – Nicholas Culver, 41, of Hartland, Maine, is headed to federal prison for a substantial stretch after being sentenced today for flooding central Maine with deadly fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker handed down a 14-year sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and for possessing a firearm while doing so.

Culver pleaded guilty back on December 10, 2018, but the details of his operation, revealed in court records, paint a grim picture. From January 1, 2018, to July 17, 2018, Culver consistently sourced fentanyl from out-of-state, transporting the lethal drug back to a residence in central Maine for street-level distribution. The operation was systematic and, according to the judge, devastatingly impactful.

When authorities finally caught up with Culver, he wasn’t empty-handed. He was found in possession of approximately 30 grams of fentanyl, a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, and a pile of cash – the dirty proceeds of his drug deals. Culver readily admitted to carrying the firearm not for protection against legitimate threats, but to ward off potential robbers looking to steal his drug profits. A chilling admission, considering the damage he was already inflicting on the community.

“Culver was responsible for a staggering amount of some of the most lethal poison in the illicit drug market,” Judge Walker declared during the sentencing hearing. The judge’s words underscore the severity of the crime and the profound danger posed by fentanyl traffickers. This wasn’t just about moving product; it was about peddling death.

The investigation was a joint effort between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. This case was also part of a larger Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a federal program designed to dismantle high-level criminal organizations. OCDETF utilizes a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to target the most dangerous drug rings in the nation. More information on OCDETF can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee’s office continues to aggressively pursue those responsible for bringing dangerous drugs into Maine communities. This sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from the misery and death caused by fentanyl will face serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis.