The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) arrested two Friendship men on Wednesday after both allegedly attempted to flee and one reportedly assaulted an officer.
[RELATED: Two Arrested and Firearms Seized in Waterville MDEA Bust…]
For several months, the MDEA has been working with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department on a drug investigation in Friendship.
The investigation has allegedly included multiple undercover cocaine purchases from Wesley Winchenbach, 48, of Friendship.
MDEA agents obtained a search warrant for Winchenbach’s residence at 346 Waldoboro Road and began surveilling it on Wednesday.
They allegedly observed Winchenbach and another man, Scott Nason, 48, of Friendship, exit the building and leave in Winchenbach’s car.
Agents confirmed that Nason was wanted on four outstanding arrest warrants, and surveilled the vehicle until Knox County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Reginald Walker initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, Winchenbach allegedly started to leave, and Nason fled.
Walker pursued Nason and apprehended him. Nason allegedly purposely headbutted him in the face before he was secured with help from other officers.
Nason also allegedly had a knife in his hand during the altercation.
Walker was transported to Pen Bay Hospital and subsequently released with facial injuries.
Nason was arrested on his four warrants charging him with failure to report and violation of conditions of release, along with additional charges of assault on an officer, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, and refusing to submit to arrest or detention.
He was transported to the Knox County Jail, where he was held without bail.
Winchenbach reportedly fled in his car, and MDEA agents followed him back to his home, where he was detained.
A search of his home allegedly led to the seizure of 510 grams of cocaine, 11.3 grams of crack cocaine, 27 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl, and 81 pills of MDMA/Ecstasy.
Winchenbach was transported to the Miles Hospital for treatment for drug-induced medical issues and will be charged upon his release.
Additional arrests are expected in connection with the investigation.
