New York Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Conspiracy

A man with several aliases has pled guilty to distributing several drugs in Maine.

U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that Jamie Betances, a/k/a “Booger,” “Booga,” Buga,” “Ice,” 30, of Rochester, New York, pled guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack.”

According to court records, between June 2015 and March 2017, Betances conspired with others to acquire heroin, fentanyl and crack in Rochester and to distribute it in Central Maine. The defendant was sent to Central Maine to distribute the drugs while residing with several Central Maine residents who were paid in heroin and crack for their participation.

The defendant faces up to 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and between three years and life on supervised release.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance provided by the Augusta Police Department.