Biddeford man pleads guilty for possession of cocaine

A Biddeford man pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine.

Biddeford police responded to a report of a disturbance in the Emery Street area on Sept. 12, according to a press release from the Biddeford Police Department. A police officer encountered Gage Barton, 26, walking in the early morning hours, according to court records. Barton was on probation for unlawful possession of cocaine, and was also on bail conditions under York County District Court. The officer searched Barton under his bail conditions.

 Barton was wearing a sling bag under his coat, and when the officer felt the bag he detected something hard that he thought was a weapon, according to court records. The officer looked inside the bag and discovered a small digital scale and several clear plastic bags containing cocaine.

Barton faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million to be followed by three years to life of supervised release, according to the press release from the U.S. attorney’s office.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance from the Biddeford Police Department.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.