United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PORTLAND, Maine - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Wayman Sparrow, a/k/a “Blaze,” 25, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack cocaine,” and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. 

According to court records, between October 2011 and January 2013, Sparrow conspired with others from New York and Portland to bring heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to Maine and distribute it from apartments and hotels in the Portland area.  The defendant brought the drugs from New York to Portland, distributed them to customers in the Portland area, and brought drug proceeds back to New York.  On March 12, 2013, the defendant got into a gun battle using a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun with a former conspirator in the hallway outside an apartment in the Lafayette Arms in Portland, while he was there distributing drugs.

Sparrow faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine on the drug charge and a consecutive sentence of between 10 years and life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the gun charge.  He will be sentenced after completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. 

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Portland Police Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.