Kayla Thistlewood Gets 8+ Years for Maine Drug Trafficking

BANGOR, Maine – Kayla Thistlewood, 28, of East Machias, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for flooding Washington County with deadly fentanyl and crack cocaine. U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker handed down an eight-year and one-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, to the dealer who brazenly peddled poison even with her young children present.

The case began to unravel on July 14, 2020, when Thistlewood directly sold cocaine to a confidential informant. Just weeks later, on August 3, 2020, agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) pulled over Thistlewood’s vehicle, arresting her in connection with the earlier sale. The timing couldn’t have been worse – Thistlewood had her two young children with her during the operation, exposing them to the dangerous world she operated in.

A search of the vehicle revealed a shocking haul: 244 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill thousands, alongside 83 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also recovered $7,820 in cash, the dirty money earned from her illegal enterprise. The bust illustrated the sheer volume of narcotics Thistlewood was moving through the region.

Thistlewood pleaded guilty on April 28, 2021, admitting to possessing both fentanyl and crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The plea came after a thorough investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and MDEA, who worked together to build a solid case against the dealer.

U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee’s office prosecuted the case, sending a clear message that drug trafficking, especially involving potent substances like fentanyl, will not be tolerated in Maine. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and the devastating impact such drugs have on communities.

While Thistlewood’s children are now in the care of authorities, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the collateral damage caused by the drug trade. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking operations in Maine and across the nation. # # #