PORTLAND – A former Boston firefighter has pleaded guilty to growing more than 100 marijuana plants at the home he owned in Bridgton.

Sean Berte, 32, entered the guilty plea in federal court on Friday. According to court records, he faces as many as 30 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Berte is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1.

Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, along with local law enforcement officials, raided Berte’s home at 111 Frost Farm Road on May 29, 2009.

They found the plants, some harvested marijuana, grow lights, timers and various agricultural products associated with the large-scale operation.

Court records show that Berte bought the home in Bridgton in March 2008. His father-in-law, Michael Domenici of Rehoboth, Mass., was staying at the home when it was raided.

Domenici told agents he knew about the operation and had been told by Berte to watch the house, according to court documents.

In a search of Berte’s home in Boston, agents found evidence of a previous marijuana-growing operation.

Berte had been a firefighter in Boston since 2001. He resigned from his job after the raid.

Officials said the value of the marijuana growing at Berte’s property would have been about $700,000.

“It was one of the most sophisticated and well-organized (growing operations) we have ever found,” Bridgton Police Officer Donald McCormick said at the time of the raid.

Berte agreed not to appeal his conviction if his sentence does not exceed 10 months in prison.

 

Staff Writer Trevor Maxwell can be contacted at 791-6451 or at: tmaxwell@pressherald.com