Gardiner woman arraigned on federal drug conspiracy charge

A Gardiner woman is facing federal drug conspiracy charge.

Heather Downs, 31, pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon at her arraignment in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

HEATHER DOWNS

Downs was indicted March 15 by a federal grand jury on a charge of “conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute” heroin and cocaine base in the period of June 14, 2015 to March 9, 2017, in Maine and elsewhere.

Court records indicate Downs was arrested Monday in Kennebec County and the indictment was unsealed. The court records contained no additional details about where and how many drugs allegedly were sold.

The prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Casey, is asking that Downs remain in custody because the offense carries a maximum penalty of more than 10 years.

Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison scheduled a hearing on that request for Wednesday. In the meantime, Downs, who is represented by attorney Sarah Churchill, remains behind bars.

While the indictment names a conspiracy, no other individual is named as a defendant in that case.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

[email protected]

Twitter: @betadams

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