SANFORD — Police say a man who threatened his roommates with a gun has been arrested, and a warrant to search his apartment turned up the weapon, heroin, $24,000 in cash and a semi-automatic handgun.

Jesse Roy, 35, of Sanford, who has a checkered criminal past, was expected to make his first court appearance today. Arrested Monday evening, he was held at York County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, according to police.

Police say that as well as terrorizing his roommates, Roy was selling drugs. He has also been charged with aggravated drug trafficking, a Class A felony that carries a maximum prison term of 30 years.

Detective Sgt. Matthew Jones said Roy’s two roommates called police on Friday after an incident at the Island Avenue residence they shared.

“They were in fear of their life,” said Jones. “They fled and called us.”

Jones said Roy allegedly made the threat in an attempt to collect rent money from his roommates.

Police obtained a search warrant and had been watching the home since the incident, waiting for Roy to emerge from the residence. Jones said they knew Roy tended to be armed when he was inside the home. On Monday night, around 8 p.m., they saw Roy leave the house and get into a vehicle. Police moved into position and arrested him without incident, said Jones.

Police seized 94 grams of heroin at Roy’s home, the cash and firearms. Jones estimated the street value of the heroin to be $14,000.

Roy is no stranger to the criminal justice system. Police said he was convicted of dealing drugs in 2006 and an assault charge, and he has faced charges in connection with other crimes.

Jones said additional charges stemming from the incident late last week are pending. Roy may also be charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and dealing drugs in a school zone; Lafayette School is near the Island Avenue home where Roy was living.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.