An Augusta man has been indicted on federal drug and firearms charges.
Rashaad McKinney, also known by the street names “Dawson” and “D,” was arrested on a seven-count indictment, three of them still sealed.
McKinney, 26, originally of Rochester, New York, and formerly of Benton, had been on probation in the Augusta area after being convicted Aug. 30, 2017, in Kennebec County of unlawful possession of heroin, for which he served an initial 90 days, and a separate assault charge. On the Department of Corrections website, his name is listed as Rashard Jacquan McKinney. Attorney Harris Mattson is representing McKinney on the federal charges.
In the unsealed charges, McKinney is accused of conspiracy to distribute and possess heroin and cocaine base, distribution of heroin and cocaine base and aiding and abetting, distribution of cocaine base and aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to violate federal firearms laws. The first three charges carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison; the firearms charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
McKinney was arrested June 20 and entered not guilty pleas to the four charges the same day in U.S. District Court in Bangor.
He was scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon; however, McKinney’s attorney sought a postponement. In the meantime, McKinney is being held under an order by Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison.
The drug conspiracy is alleged to have occurred in the period of November 2016 to September 2017.
The firearms conspiracy allegedly ran February through May 2017 when McKinney and others who names were redacted from the indictment caused “straw purchasers” to lie to licensed firearms dealers to obtain weapons. It says 12 firearms were purchased, eight from Audette’s, Inc., in Winthrop, and four from North Augusta Firearms, Burns Road, Augusta.
At one point on Feb. 25, 2017, Audette’s refused to sell a firearm to a person allegedly traveling with McKinney.
The firearms purchased were given to McKinney and others, while some firearms were taken to Rochester, New York, the indictment states. One of the firearms, a 9 mm pistol, was located later in New York.
The indictment says the straw purchasers were paid in cash or drugs for participating.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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