A Greene resident has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for armed drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. John Labbe, 44, received his sentence on October 8, 2025, from U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen in Portland. Labbe will also serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
Labbe pleaded guilty on July 1, 2025, to charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime.
Court records show that in January 2025, Lewiston police detained Labbe after observing him operating a vehicle unlawfully. Officers found a handgun with a laser sight on Labbe and discovered fentanyl and cocaine base inside his backpack. A search of his cell phone revealed communications related to arranging the distribution of controlled substances.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with support from the Lewiston Police Department, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
“Operation Take Back America: This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
The press release notes that although this matter occurred earlier in the year, its announcement was delayed due to a federal government shutdown. The information was made public once normal operations resumed.
