AUGUSTA — One of three men arrested Tuesday night in Litchfield on drug possession charges pleaded guilty at his first court appearance less than 24 hours later.

Gerard S. Boynton, 28, of Monmouth, was sentenced to serve an initial one day in jail, with the remainder of the 364 days suspended. He was placed on probation for a year and was fined $400 for unlawful possession of drugs.

The other two men arrested with him Tuesday night on Route 126 pleaded not guilty at their initial hearings on the charges. The hearings were held at the Capital Judicial Center via video link from the Kennebec County jail.

Matthew Byras, 39, of Litchfield, faces one count of unlawful possession of heroin. He was released on unsecured bail.

Peter A. Dunn, 35, of Monmouth, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of heroin. His bail was set at $750 cash or $500 with a Maine PreTrial Services supervision contract.

The men were arrested after Maine State Police Trooper Seth R. Allen did a traffic stop of a red pickup truck.

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According to an affidavit filed in court, Allen said his radar unit clocked the truck at 71 mph in a 50-mph zone.

Byras was driving, and Kayla Fowler, 23, of Litchfield, was in the front passenger seat.

Dunn and Boynton were in the back seat.

Allen said Boynton was the subject of arrest warrants for failing to pay fines, so Allen handcuffed him. Allen located “a bag of black tar heroin in (Boynton’s) left front pocket.” Allen said officers found that Byras had powdered heroin on him and Dunn had a drug kit in his boot.

Allen said a drug kit was found in the purse in the car as well, and he charged Fowler with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Five other troopers assisted Allen at the scene.

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Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

 


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