East Machias Woman Sentenced for Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking

BANGOR, Maine — In a stunning blow to the drug trade in Maine, Kayla Thistlewood, 28, of East Machias, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence for trafficking fentanyl and crack cocaine. U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced the sentence today.

Thistlewood, who pleaded guilty on April 28, 2021, was also sentenced to three years of supervised release following her release from prison. The court records reveal a chilling portrait of Thistlewood’s criminal activities.

On July 14, 2020, Thistlewood sold cocaine to an informant in Washington County. Just over a month later, on August 3, 2020, Special Agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency made a traffic stop that would change her life. During the arrest, agents discovered 244 grams of fentanyl, 83 grams of crack cocaine, and $7,820 in cash inside Thistlewood’s vehicle.

The horror of this situation was compounded by the fact that at the time of her arrest, Thistlewood had two young children in the car with her. The court documents make no mention of their well-being after being exposed to such a dangerous environment.

U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker presided over the sentencing hearing. The investigation into Thistlewood’s crimes was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, highlighting the multi-agency approach needed to combat drug trafficking in the state of Maine.