Waterville man accused of selling cocaine near school, park

AUGUSTA — A Waterville man remained behind bars Tuesday at the Kennebec County jail on two charges of aggravated trafficking in crack cocaine.

Ernest Green, 40, is accused of selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with officers of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency on Aug. 16 and Sept. 12 in Waterville.

On Monday, a judge at the Capital Judicial Center set Green’s bail at $75,000 cash at the request of the prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Michael Madigan.

Officer Daniel Ames, in an affidavit filed at the court, says agents executed a search warrant Friday at Green’s Elm Street apartment but found no illegal drugs or contraband there.

Green was arrested just before the search as he drove on Water Street in Waterville. Ames said Green had $1,005 in the pocket of his jeans at the time.

The state is seeking forfeiture of that sum, saying it is traceable to drugs.

The charges against Green are classified as “aggravated” because the alleged offenses occurred in areas designated as a drug-safe zone by the Legislature. The first of the alleged transactions took place near Pleasant Street School and Belmont Street Park and the other near a park on Drummond Avenue.

If convicted, the maximum penalty is 30 years on each count.

Attorney David Geller, serving as lawyer of the day Monday, said Green wanted to waive his right to a bail hearing that day and reserve it for later.

Justice Donald Marden agreed, and a dispositional hearing in the case is set for Nov. 21.

Conditions of bail prohibit Green from possession of illegal drugs and alcohol as well as dangerous weapons. They also required that he reside in Maine and abide by an 8 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew.

Madigan said Green had “practically no criminal history” in Maine, and cited a criminal trespass conviction from 2015.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

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Twitter: @betadams