SANFORD – The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local authorities are asking for the public’s help to locate a Springvale suspect whom they say failed to live up to the terms of his release from federal custody after his initial arrest on drug charges.

Authorities caution that they believe that Joshua Patrick Weldon is armed and dangerous, and are urging people to call in tips – but to not approach him.

“We believe Mr. Weldon is armed and dangerous and poses a real danger to the public. That’s why the FBI is offering a reward up to $5,000 in an effort to generate new leads or intelligence about his whereabouts. We ask anyone with information about where he may be hiding to contact us. If you see him, please do not approach, and call 911 immediately,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

The FBI put out the word early Wednesday.

Weldon was arrested by the FBI in Alfred on Aug. 13 on a charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. The charge alleges that Weldon and others conspired to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl between April and July 13.

While circumstances of his initial  arrest are unclear, three other people are linked to the case and were also charged, according to documents on file at the federal court.

If convicted on the drug charge, Weldon faces between 5 and 40 years in prison for the Class B felony.

On Oct. 23, the U.S. District Court, District of Maine released Weldon on $10,000 unsecured bond, with conditions of pretrial supervision including a condition that he reside at a sober house.

Authorities say Weldon failed to report to the sober house on Oct. 24, and failed to appear at a scheduled appointment at the U.S. Probation Office on Oct. 25, and an arrest warrant was immediately issued  by the United States District Court.

It is believed that he is  currently in Maine with his girlfriend.

On the afternoon of Nov. 6, Sanford Police located a vehicle Weldon was traveling in and attempted to stop it, but he allegedly got out and ran away. While a police dog team was tracking the wanted man, the FBI said he was able to obtain a ride to a Springvale apartment where he allegedly smashed the glass of the front door after being refused entry.

Weldon, 26,  is a white male, with short black hair,  brown eyes and ear gauges. When he was last seen by authorities, he had a short brown beard. He’s about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs around 255 pounds. His last known address was on Main Street in Springvale, said the FBI in a statement.

The FBI is offering a  reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his location and arrest.

They said Weldon has at least a dozen tattoos including the word ‘hope,’ on his right-hand fingers; the word ‘less,’ on his left-hand fingers; skulls on the backs of both his hands; a sleeve of miscellaneous tattoos on his right arm; a tattoo on his chest of a monk’s face with a demon; and the phrases ‘L’amore Mia,’ and ‘Dolce Vita’ on his neck.

Anyone with information regarding his current whereabouts should call the FBI Boston Division at 857-386-2000. Tips can also be electronically submitted at tips.fbi.gov.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force, Sanford Police Department, and the York County Sheriff’s Office.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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