PORTLAND, Maine — A man is facing several charges after he reportedly was in possession of fentanyl and assaulted a Portland police officer while refusing arrest.
Shortly after 1:15 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a person refusing to leave the Ramada Plaza at 155 Riverside Street in Portland, the Portland Police Department said in a news release.
Police said when they arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled the area but was tracked down just minutes later in a parking area near 242 Riverside Street.
"After a physical altercation, 29-year-old Thomas Scott (unhoused) was taken into custody and arrested," the release stated. "As a result of the arrest, an officer received treatment at Mercy Hospital for a minor injury."
At the time of his arrest, Scott was reportedly in possession of 27 grams of fentanyl. The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said 42 percent of the pills that were tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, which is considered a potentially lethal dose, according to the release.
Scott was charged with aggravated trafficking of scheduled W drugs, refusing to submit to arrest and/or detention, and two counts of assault on a police officer, the release said. Police said he was also arrested on a warrant from a prior charge.
According to police, Scott was taken to Cumberland County Jail where he was subsequently charged with unlawful possession of cocaine base and aggravated drug trafficking in prison contraband after he was found to have 3.6 grams of cocaine base inside of him.
Investigators ask anyone who may have information that could assist in this case to call them at 207-874-8575. You can also text the keyword PPDME and your message to 847411.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Thomas Scott's name due to incorrect information provided.
