Man Living in Madawaska Was Wanted For Meth Dealing in South Carolina

33-year old Leland Cantrell had been living in Madawaska since 2014, maintaining an apartment on 13th avenue and working a steady job. But late Monday morning, the Spartanburg, South Carolina police department contacted the Madawaska police chief and requested Cantrell's arrest. 

Madawaska Police Chief Carol Theriault says Cantrell was wanted on a fugitive from justice charge in connection with alleged production and distribution of methamphetamine.

Cantrell had been charged with domestic violence assault shortly after arriving in Aroostook County but his fugitive status was not known at the time.

Theriault says his department does not have jurisdiction for out-of-state charges, but municipal law enforcement can arrest on fugitive from justice charges. Maine's statute extends to 1,500 miles. It's a little less than 1,400 miles to Spartanburg from Madawaska.

Cantrell was arrested at work and spent Monday night at the Caribou Police holding facility and was transferred Tuesday to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.

He's scheduled to make his first court appearance on the fugitive charge on March 3 in Madawaska. The decision on extradition will be made by the Aroostook District Attorney's Office.