AUGUSTA — A 29-year-old Augusta woman who sold cocaine directly to an undercover officer in February will spend an initial six months in jail for the offense of unlawful trafficking in cocaine base.
The remainder of the four-year sentence imposed on Katherine E. Spiller was suspended while she spends two years on probation.
Spiller pleaded guilty Tuesday at the Capital Judicial Center to the trafficking, which occurred Feb. 26, as well as separate charges of theft and unlawful possession of heroin that occurred April 12 at the Hannaford supermarket on Cony Street.
Describing the trafficking offense, Assistant Attorney General Katie Sibley said Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Officer Todd Chilton, acting under cover, contacted Jaci Beane in an attempt to purchase illegal drugs.
Beane told him to go to 10 Crosby St. Place, Augusta, Sibley said.
“Ms. Spiller exited the residence and exchanged cocaine base for pre-recorded buy money,” she said.
Beane, 24, of Farmingdale, was sentenced July 10 in the same courthouse to an initial 18 months in prison, with the remainder of the five-year term suspended while she spends two years on probation.
In the other offenses, Assistant District Attorney Tyler LeClair said Spiller was seen selecting groceries at the store and walking out without paying for them. He said she also provided a false name but was later recognized by a detective who came to the scene. A charge of failure to give correct name and illegal possession of a hypodermic were dismissed in exchange for the guilty pleas to the other charges.
LeClair said once Spiller was searched, investigators found she had white powder on her, which field-tested positive for heroin.
Conditions of Spiller’s probation prohibit her from use and possession of alcohol, illegal drugs and marijuana.
Her attorney, Stephen Bourget, said Spiller “might opt for a more intensive rehabilitation” program rather than an outpatient one.
Justice William Stokes suspended the two $400 fines that accompany the drug offenses, saying he preferred that she spend her money on treatment for substance abuse.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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