AUGUSTA — Three people were arrested this week after authorities searched a camper and allegedly recovered cocaine, guns and more than $35,000 in cash.
Augusta Officer Benjamin Murtiff wrote in a search warrant affidavit that he had been investigating the occupants of the camper on Blair Road for a month on suspicion of trafficking in drugs. Among the suspected occupants was an unknown man who went by the alias of “Gator.”
Augusta police, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations executed the warrant shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday after commanding the people inside to come out. First out was Lisa Chapman, 43, of Augusta, who said two other people were inside: Shawn Lord, 42, of Gardiner, and Gator, later identified as Aaron Dawson, 32, of New York City.
Augusta Police Department Detective Christopher Guay holds bundles of cash seized from a camper during a search Thursday on Blair Road in Augusta. Money, weapons and drugs were recovered during a search by Augusta Police, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Kennebec County Sheriff’s department and Homeland Security Investigations. Three people were arrested on a variety of charges after a monthlong investigation, according to Augusta Police. Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal
Both men exited the camper separately after several minutes and repeated commands by authorities, Murtiff wrote.
Chapman told authorities she bought the camper with the assistance of her mother and that Dawson lived with her. When Lord was being detained, though, he claimed that Dawson owned the trailer, Murtiff wrote.
Police searched the camper and found evidence that Lord and Dawson had attempted to pour drugs down the kitchen sink before authorities entered. Police said they recovered more than 11 grams of cocaine, digital scales, several guns, and a safe that contained jewelry and $35,000 in $5,000 bundles.
Authorities also searched vehicles and a SnowPro trailer that had been reported stolen in January 2021 which contained a “large assortment” of tools. Dawson also had $1,200 in cash on him, police said.
Dawson has a previous felony conviction in New York for criminal possession of a control substance and criminal possession of a weapon, while Lord has a previous felony conviction for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs.
Chapman was being held on $50,000 cash bail on charges of aggravated trafficking, falsifying evidence, theft by receiving stolen property and refusing to submit to arrest. She was ordered to have no contact with Lord or Dawson.
Dawson was charged with aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, refusing to submit to arrest, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and falsifying evidence. He was being held on $50,000 cash bail.
Lord was charged with refusing to submit to arrest, falsifying evidence, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, aggravated trafficking and theft by receiving stolen property. He was being held on $10,000 cash bail.
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