AUGUSTA — A New York man with a history of drug convictions in his home state will spend six years in prison for selling cocaine base this spring in Augusta.

Raishawn Wendall Key, 32, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to two counts of aggravated drug trafficking and one count of criminal forfeiture of $1,366, meaning that the money was used or was intended to be used in an illegal drug transaction.

Key, and two others originally from New York, Robert Lowry, 33, and Latoya Pugh, 37, were arrested June 19 after a two-month investigation by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency which involved “several controlled drug purchases utilizing an undercover agent, purchasing crack cocaine on a number of occasions,” according to an affidavit by investigator Kelly Hooper.

At the time of the arrests, Commander Darrell Crandall of that agency noted in a prepared release that the trio had been under investigation “after reports they were selling crack cocaine and heroin in the greater Augusta area.”

Police picked them up as they were leaving an Augusta motel. Other court documents indicate the three were living at some point in Augusta.

In exchange for Key’s plea, the state dismissed six other drug trafficking charges against him.

Pugh was sentenced in September to five years in prison, with all but 18 months suspended, followed by two years’ probation. She was also fined $400.

She had pleaded guilty to unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and the money forfeiture.

In August, Lowry, 33, pleaded guilty to unlawful trafficking in cocaine base and also agreed to the forfeiture and was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $400. He had told investigators he made one drug sale because “he needed to send money home for diapers and food for his lady and 2-year-old son in New York,” according to Hooper’s affidavit.

A number of other people were sentenced Tuesday in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:

• Dyllan A. Bozora, 22, of Boothbay Harbor, three counts of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and one count of theft by deception July 17-18 in Augusta; 364 day jail sentence, all but 21 days suspended, one year administrative release, $177.99 restitution.

• James R. Butcher, 28, of Waterville, domestic violence assault Aug. 17 in Waterville; three-year jail sentence, all but six months suspended, two years’ probation.

• Keith Howe, 32, of Fairfield and formerly of Sidney, two counts of unlawful furnishing scheduled drugs, June 9, 2011, in Oakland; $800 in fines.

• Danny L. Jackson, 39, of Augusta, reckless conduct June 23 in Pittston; 30 day jail sentence.

• Eric D. Lee, 22, of Augusta, theft by receiving stolen property May 24 in Augusta; 364 day jail sentence, all but 10 days suspended, to be served in the alternative sentencing program, one year administrative release.

• Richard J. Lefebvre, 64, of Litchfield, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and obstructing report of a crime June 13 in Litchfield; three year jail sentence, all but five months suspended, two years’ probation.

• Amy R. Marmanik, 24, of Augusta, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Feb. 14 and operating while license suspended or revoked April 8, both in Augusta; two year jail sentence, all but 14 days suspended, two years’ probation, $600 fine.

• Amber M. Oakes, 27, of Waterville, domestic violence assault Sept. 1 in Waterville; 364 day jail sentence, all but 12 days suspended, two years’ probation.

• Ryan J. Pokorny, 23, of Wayne, unlawful possession of scheduled drug Oct. 14, 2012 in Winthrop; $400 fine.

• Mark E. Robinson, 44, of Waterville, sexual abuse of a minor and unlawful furnishing of scheduled drug July 13 in Clinton; five-year prison sentence, all but 18 months suspended, two years’ probation with conditions banning him from contact with girls under 16, $400 fine.

• Gage Wells, 19, of Alexander, burglary and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer July 23 in Waterville, five year jail sentence all but six months suspended, three years’ probation, $1,136 restitution.

Betty Adams — 621-5631badams@centralmaine.comTwitter: @betadams

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