Gage Barton, Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Maine 2024

Biddeford Man Faces Up to 20 Years for Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute

PORTLAND, Maine: A Biddeford man has pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, a crime that could land him up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Gage Barton, 26, was found with a small digital scale and several clear plastic bags containing cocaine in September 2024. The discovery was made by a Biddeford police officer who was searching Barton under his bail conditions in the State of Maine District Court in York County.

According to court records, the officer was patrolling the area in the early morning hours when he encountered Barton. Barton was wearing a sling bag under his coat, and when the officer felt the bag, he believed it contained a weapon. However, upon further inspection, the officer discovered the scale and the cocaine.

Barton was already on probation for unlawful possession of cocaine and was on bail conditions in the State of Maine District Court in York County. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department.

The guilty plea is a serious blow to Barton, who now faces the possibility of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. He will also have to serve three years to life of supervised release after his prison term.

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in Maine and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat this issue. It also highlights the dangers of recidivism and the need for effective rehabilitation programs to help individuals like Barton get back on the right path.

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