ROCKLAND — A Rockland man currently remains at the Knox County Jail after he was arrested with allegedly possessing fentanyl.  

Michael Willis, 38, was arrested Aug. 23 by Rockland Police Sgt. Andrew Redden and charged with unlawful possession of a scheduled drug (fentanyl) and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.

According to the affidavit filed in Knox County Court by Rockland police, Knox County Sheriff Deputy Josh Lemoi contacted Rockland police and reported that Willis, who had an active warrant for his arrest, was travelling on the Maine State Ferry from North Haven to Rockland.

Rockland police located and arrested Willis who was wanted for failure to comply with Maine State Probation.

During a search, police found in his possession a container disguised as a can of soup with fentanyl inside, police said. Willis told police that he buys fentanyl for his personal use. 

They said that Willis also had scales and a portion of the fentanyl was found on the suspect, some in bags with pills, indicating that he was allegedly dealing drugs. The weight of the fentanyl was approximately close to 10 grams, according to police.

Police also said they found that Willis was carrying a stolen driver’s license, which belonged to his brother. Another license from Connecticut was found in his wallet and Willis told police that he found it and was just keeping it, according to the affidavit. Police said that Willis has used false identification credentials before to avoid detection of his real identity.

Willis appeared in court Aug. 24 and 26. His bail was set at $500 cash, but he was ordered by the state to be held without bail on a probation revocation. Police said that additional charges are likely and the investigation is going.

Willis is scheduled to appear in court again Sept. 29 for a dispositional conference.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com