A Winthrop man who authorities say overdosed on heroin last summer while free on bail pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal firearms charge.

Damion Sidelinger Hanson, 23, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to make false statements to a federal firearms dealer.

Court documents say Hanson, a “straw man” purchaser, was provided $600 and driven by a co-conspirator — whose name was not given — to purchase a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard pistol for someone else on Feb. 25, 2017, in Winthrop.

The firearm purchase was never completed, according to an investigator, who wrote that the address Hanson provided to the dealer was different from the one on his driver’s license.

Prosecution documents indicate “straw purchasers” obtained a total of 12 firearms for out-of-state people as part of the conspiracy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jody B. Mullis wrote that Hanson filled out a form to buy the gun and indicated that he was the actual buyer and that he was not addicted to any controlled substance.

“However, Hanson was a drug user and addicted to heroin,” Mullis wrote in a document dated Dec. 15, 2017.

After Hanson had made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland, on Aug. 2, 2017, he was released on $10,000 unsecured bail with conditions prohibiting him from possession and use of controlled substances.

“On Aug. 25, 2017, while on release, the defendant overdosed on heroin,” Mullis wrote.

An affidavit by Capitol Police Officer Charles Ball indicates he found Hanson, who is referred to as Sidelinger-Hanson, unresponsive that day in the front passenger seat of a vehicle near Arsenal Street and Blossom Lane in Augusta after the driver asked for help for her friend.

Ball called for Augusta rescue personnel, interviewed Hanson later at MaineGeneral Medical Center and convinced him to ask to be admitted to detoxification and rehabilitation.

Hanson then attended an inpatient substance abuse treatment facility in Massachusetts but was later “kicked out” of a sober living house in Portland after testing positive for fentanyl and methadone in mid-December, according to his federal probation officer.

Under a plea agreement, Hanson waives his right to appeal any sentence that involves 18 months or less of imprisonment.

The conspiracy charge itself carries a maximum prison term of five years.

Hanson, who is represented by attorney William Maddox, will be sentenced at a later date. Hanson also faced charges in state court of theft by unauthorized use of property and unlawful possession of scheduled drug, both dated Aug. 1, 2017, in Winthrop.

His next hearing in state court is scheduled for May 8 at the Capital Judicial Center.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

Copy the Story Link