Island Cocaine Trafficking Suspect Arrested In Cape Cod Last Month Facing New Charges In Nantucket District Court

William Sarnie, the 62 year old island resident who was one of two men arrested and arraigned in Barnstable District Court last month on cocaine trafficking charges in the aftermath of a lengthy investigation into a fatal overdose on Cape Cod late last year, is now facing cocaine possession and distribution charges in Nantucket District Court following his arraignment Tuesday morning.

Sarnie, who was present for his arraignment in-person, had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf and was ordered to return to court June 15th for a status hearing. He was ordered to continue complying with a GPS monitoring device that was attached as part of his conditions of release in Barnstable District Court in March, comply with a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and have no contact with the co-defendants in the case. Sarnie is out of jail on $50,000 cash bail posted in Barnstable. It was revealed that Sarnie is expected to be indicted in Superior Court on drug charges during Tuesday's arraignment session.

According to the police report, Nantucket Police Detective Keith Mansfield and NPD officers executed a search warrant for Sarnie's 3 Todd Circle residence with the assistance of the Barnstable Police Department. The following items were located at his home during the search:

- Three grams of cocaine individually packaged in corner cut baggies found in a cigarette carton located in a wooden box in the main bedroom closet. BPD conducted a field test to confirm the substance as cocaine.

- A black scale in the main bedroom closet area.

- Several corner cut baggies (packaging material) located within various areas of the residence.

- Approximately $12,500 in US Currency located inside the residence.

While Sarnie was going through the booking process with NPD, officers located a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in Sarnie's right front coin pocket of his jeans. The substance was confirmed to be cocaine.

Sarnie is facing numerous charges in Barnstable District Court including conspiracy to violate drug law and trafficking cocaine in an amount of 200 grams or more.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois and Barnstable Police Chief Jeanne Challies made the announcement in March that Sarnie, along with 56 year old Andre Silvia of Wareham, were arrested and taken into custody for illegal drug activity following an investigation that spanned multiple towns beginning in November of last year.

“This investigation began during the month of November 2025 when members of the State Police Detective Unit, assigned to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, investigated a fatal overdose in Barnstable County,” the District Attorney’s office said in a release. “The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by cocaine intoxication. Through investigative efforts, Andre Silvia was identified as the main supplier of the cocaine. Throughout the investigation, William Sarnie was also tied to Silvia through an investigation by the Barnstable Police Department."

Sarnie and Silvia's arrests were preceded by and helped made possible following the Barnstable Police Department's arrest of 62-year-old island resident Edward Gillispie on January 8th as he was preparing to transport a kilogram of cocaine from Hyannis to Nantucket. Following Gillespie’s arrest, the BPD executed a search warrant for Gillespie’s Nantucket residence. With the support of the Nantucket Police Detective Unit, United States Coast Guard and resident Cape Cod DEA office, a search of Gillespie’s home yielded additional quantities of drugs, evidence of narcotics trafficking, and approximately $10,000 in US currency.

Sarnie is alleged by prosecutors to have been working alongside Gillispie and Silvia. Prosecutors have used cell phone records and surveillance footage to tie the three individuals together.

Gillespie's arrest led to a deeper investigation and investigators obtaining more search warrants, including a warrant to search Sarnie's home. This search led to Sarnie's new charges in Nantucket District Court.