BANGOR, Maine – Another Maine resident is facing a long stretch behind bars after admitting to peddling cocaine and illegally stashing firearms. Thomas Ray Cook, 44, of Jay, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to charges that paint a picture of a small-time dealer with a dangerous penchant for weaponry.
Court records detail a brazen operation. In February 2025, Cook allegedly sold $600 worth of cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA). A month later, the deal escalated. Cook reportedly offloaded an additional quantity of cocaine and seven firearms for $1,600, this time from a residence in Farmington. This wasn’t a one-off transaction; it was a clear pattern of illegal activity.
What makes this case particularly damning is Cook’s history. He’s already prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions in Maine, including Aggravated Operating after Habitual Offender Revocation and Eluding an Officer. Ignoring the law, Cook allegedly continued to arm himself while simultaneously pushing poison onto the streets. This isn’t just about drugs and guns; it’s about a blatant disregard for public safety and the legal system.
The feds are prepared to come down hard. For the narcotics charge, Cook is looking at up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and potentially a lifetime of supervised release. The firearms charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after a thorough review of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. A presentence investigative report is currently being compiled by the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the MDEA, demonstrating a coordinated push against illicit activity in the state. This case falls under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
Operation Take Back America streamlines resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), signaling a zero-tolerance policy for those who threaten the safety and security of American citizens. While Cook’s operation may seem small-scale, it’s a piece of the larger puzzle the DOJ is determined to dismantle. Expect more indictments and convictions as Operation Take Back America continues to unfold.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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