FARMINGTON — A third man has been charged in a case involving the sale and distribution of heroin in the Franklin County area.

Chris A. Crockett, 56, of Farmington was arrested Friday on felony charges of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, according to a complaint filed with a Farmington court.

The drug charge is punishable by a maximum 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Crockett initially told police that he was unaware that Mark Barrett, 59, of Farmington was selling heroin from his home on Lucy Knowles Road, according to Farmington Detective Darin Gilbert’s affidavit filed with the court on a warrant request.

Barrett and Guy Stevens, 42, also of Farmington, were arrested in July on charges of aggravated trafficking in heroin and illegal importation of drugs in the case.

Barrett lives at Crockett’s home.

Gilbert received search warrants for Barrett’s and Stevens’ cellphones. He found text messages between Barrett and Crockett consistent with drug trafficking, specifically heroin, according to Gilbert’s affidavit.

One conversation indicates that Crockett knew the code for the gun safe owned by Barrett, where heroin and 18 guns were stored, according to the document.

Gilbert, who has been working with Franklin County Detective Stephen Charles on the case, also found conversations between Stevens and Crockett on Stevens’ phone that suggest that Crockett was actively involved in Barrett’s and Stevens’ heroin operation, Gilbert wrote in the affidavit.

Gilbert also believes that Crockett was in control/possession of firearms: Crockett is prohibited from possessing or having access to firearms due to a felony conviction of eluding an officer in Franklin County Court on March 6, 2013.

An Oxford County judge set Crockett’s bail Monday afternoon at $15,000 cash or $30,000 real estate surety, a Franklin County corrections officer said. 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net