WATERVILLE — Police arrested a man Thursday on charges that he sold cocaine to a police informant on four separate occasions, each within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.
Joshua Porfirio, 23, of 77 Drummond Ave., was arrested without incident Thursday on High Street on a warrant after a months-long investigation, according to Deputy Chief Charles Rumsey.
Police charged Porfirio with four felony counts of aggravated drug trafficking charges, stemming from four alleged sales to an informant of 1 gram of cocaine each, with a total street value of $400. The charges are aggravated because the deals were made near the George A. Mitchell School, which has entrances off High Street and Drummond Avenue, Rumsey said.
During a search of Porfirio on High Street, police said they found a 30-gram oxycodone pill, which Porfirio claimed to have purchased Thursday outside the Discovery House, a methadone clinic, on Airport Road in Waterville. Police also said they found five clonazepam pills, a sedative. Porfirio faces additional charges for possession of those medications, Rumsey said.
At the time of his arrest, Porfirio was with three children under 7 years old — his child, stepchild and brother. Police placed the three children in the custody of family members and contacted Department of Health and Human Services.
“Obviously, we are concerned that this type of activity goes on when children are present,” Rumsey said.
Police also executed search warrants of Porfirio’s residence and at a separate unspecified address.
No additional drugs were found at those locations, and no additional charges are pending, Rumsey said.
In total, Porfirio faces four Class A aggravated drug trafficking charges, a Class C felony charge for possession of oxycodone and a Class E misdemeanor for possession of clonazepam.
The felony counts carry maximum penalties of 30 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
Porfirio is being held at Kennebec County jail on $2,500 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear on Oct. 30 at Kennebec County Superior Court in Augusta.
In 2010, Porfirio was found guilty on charges of a minor possessing liquor and a minor consuming liquor, according to court records. He was fined $400.
Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com
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