x
Breaking News
More () »

Former Franklin County ADA sentenced in connection to marijuana operation in Farmington

Kayla Alves will serve two years probation and pay a $2,000 fine for deleting a text conversation tipping off one of the people allegedly part of the scheme.

BANGOR, Maine — On Wednesday, Kayla Alves, former Franklin County assistant district attorney, was sentenced to two-years probation and will have to pay a $2,000 fine for her role in connection to an alleged $13 million illegal marijuana operation

Alves pleaded guilty to tampering with documents in March of this year. Police say she deleted a string of text messages she had with a sheriffs deputy, who allegedly had a stake in that marijuana business. 

The recommended sentencing for Alves was 10-16 months in prison, but Noah Falk, assistant U.S. attorney for the district of Maine and prosecutor in this case, asked the judge for just a six month sentence.

RELATED: Former Maine assistant district attorney pleads guilty to tampering with documents

Falk said the lighter sentence request was taking into account that Alves is a single mother of three children and a veteran, who was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

RELATED: Maine law enforcement officers, town officials, prosecutor charged in $13 million pot conspiracy

"We thought that this prosecution was very important to bring because Ms. Alves was a public servant, she was a prosecutor, and she had a duty to the public to treat everybody fairly and with respect," Falk said. "She had a duty to always act within the best interest of the state."

In wrapping up the sentencing, Judge Lance Walked told Alves he has every confidence she will return to a life of honor and integrity.

The trial for Alves' co-defendants is set to begin in November, but Falk said he thinks it's likely that date will be pushed back to a later time.

More NEWS CENTER Maine stories

Click here to sign up for the daily NEWS CENTER Maine Break Time Newsletter.

For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.

Before You Leave, Check This Out