RUMFORD — A man found dead in a Rumford home Thursday led police to a home in Peru where they arrested four people on multiple charges, including trafficking and/or possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine, Rumford Police Chief Tony Milligan said a news release Friday.

Arrested were: James P. Turner, 42, and Karlie S. Jamison, 23, both of 114 Pleasant St. in Peru; Jeremy C. Abbott, 44, of 394 Roxbury Road, Mexico; and Benjamin M. Kendall, 35, of 145 Route 232, Woodstock. They were taken to the Oxford County Jail in Paris.

Milligan said his department is investigating to determine if fentanyl played a role in the man’s death. Until then, his identity and address will not be released.

Police responded to a home for a report of an adult male not breathing and determined he was deceased. Based on the initial investigation, circumstances of the death and evidence at the scene,

officers suspected his death may have been the result of a drug overdose, the chief said.

The investigation led them to serve a search warrant at 114 Pleasant St. in Peru where they seized approximately 14,440 milligrams of suspected fentanyl, 13,140 milligrams of suspected methamphetamine, several illegally possessed prescription drugs, four sets of digital scales with drug residue, $1,320 in suspected drug proceeds and other evidence of illegal drug possession and drug trafficking, Milligan said.

Rumford police were assisted in the 4 p.m. search by the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, Mexico Police Department and the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force.

Turner and Jamison were each charged with aggravated trafficking in fentanyl and aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine with intent to distribute. They appeared in court Friday and were released on $500 unsecured bail each, according to a corrections officer at the jail.

Abbott was charged with possession of methamphetamine, violation of conditions of release and violation of probation, and ordered held without bail. He is on probation after being convicted in October 2022 of two counts of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. In that case, he received a suspended 45-day jail sentence and probation for a year. He was also out on bail awaiting trial on drug charges, including unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

Kendall was charged with possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine, violation of conditions of release and had two arrest warrants for failure to appear in court. He was out on bail awaiting trial on charges of operating a motor vehicle after being declared habitual offender, operating without a license and failure to stop for a police officer. He appeared in court Friday and was released on personal recognizance bail, the corrections officer said.

“Dangerous and highly addictive drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to wage

war on good people,” Milligan said in his statement Friday. Rumford police are committed to dedicating resources to target those who participate in the sale and distribution of this poison in and around our community, he said.

“To profit off the backs of victims struggling with addiction is both a violation of law and a crime against humanity,” he said. “This plague has to stop and it takes a balanced approach of good parenting, education, treatment, enforcement, support and accountability to make a difference.”

Milligan said his department supports initiatives such as OPTIONS, Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone and Safety, to serve as a clearinghouse for all resources available throughout the state for those who are ready for help.

“This is a complex problem and will not be solved overnight, and ignoring it will not go away either,” he said. “Treatment options combined with counseling has been a proven success for countless individuals who decided that enough was enough and sought help. While support, education, counseling and treatment is important, holding those who transport and sell this poison accountable is equally important.”

Milligan said that’s why his department established partnerships with the FBI Southern Maine Gang Task Force, the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies to combat this criminal activity “in the hope that we can help reduce the supply of dangerous drugs in our community and perhaps save a life.”

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