Friendship Drug Investigation Leads to Major Drug Seizure, Officer Assault Arrest

A months-long drug investigation in Friendship led to a large seizure of suspected drugs and the arrest of a local man accused of assaulting a Knox County sheriff’s lieutenant.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said in a press release, agents with its Mid-Coast District Task Force and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating suspected drug trafficking in Friendship for several months. The investigation allegedly included undercover purchases of cocaine from 48-year-old Wesley Winchenbach.

On August 26, agents conducting surveillance saw Winchenbach leave his Waldoboro Road residence with 48-year-old Scott Nason of Friendship. Authorities say Nason had four active arrest warrants.

Police stopped the vehicle, and while Knox County Lt. Reginald Walker was confirming the warrants, investigators say Winchenbach began to drive away and Nason fled on foot.

The release went on to explain that Walker chased and eventually caught Nason, who allegedly continued to struggle and intentionally head-butted the lieutenant in the face. Authorities say Nason was eventually restrained with help from other officers, and a knife that he had allegedly been holding during the struggle was recovered.

Walker was treated at the scene before being taken to Pen Bay Hospital. He was later released with facial injuries.

Winchenbach was later detained at his residence, where authorities executed a search warrant. Investigators say they seized approximately 510 grams of cocaine, 11.3 grams of crack cocaine, 27 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl and 81 suspected MDMA pills.

Nason was taken to the Knox County Correctional Facility and held without bail. Winchenbach was transported to Miles Hospital for medical treatment and is expected to face charges after his release.

MDEA says additional arrests are anticipated.