ROCKLAND — A Thomaston woman remains in jail after police charged her with allegedly selling methylphenidate (Ritalin) pills to a confidential police informant.

Ashley Rae Benner, 35, was charged Nov. 6 with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, from an incident that allegedly occurred in Thomaston Sept. 19.

She made her initial appearance in Knox County Unified Court Nov. 7 where her bail was set at $2,500 cash.

According to the affidavit filed by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency in Knox County Unified Court, a confidential informant told a MDEA agent that he could purchase Ritalin from Benner at $20 per pill. Police gave the informant the money to purchase the pills.

On Sept. 19, Benner sold three pills to the informant for $60 in the parking lot of Montpelier in Thomaston, police said.

Benner was interviewed by the MDEA Oct. 6 and during the meeting, she said that she was an addict, but denied selling the drugs, according to the affidavit.

The charge of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs was elevated to a Class A crime since she had a previous conviction for stealing drugs in 2016 in Knox County Unified Court.

Benner was also charged with illegal possession of scheduled drugs and trafficking in prison contraband when she was searched and found with drugs at the Knox County Jail after her arrest Nov. 6, police said.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com