Murder suspect pleads guilty to drug charges

Michelle Orris

City Editor

A suspect in the December murder of a 19-year-old Fitchburg woman pleaded guilty to distributing crack cocaine Friday.

Fitchburg resident Thomas McCants, 23, could face as much as life or as little as 10 years in prison. His sentencing is set for June 19.

McCants originally told investigators the drugs belonged to his girlfriend, Lizzette Fountain, who was murdered Dec. 4. Police found cocaine, marijuana, a Rohm .38-caliber handgun and ammunition from a safe in the apartment McCants shared with Fountain. McCants told investigators he and Fountain had previously argued over the drugs, and he returned from work Dec. 4 to find her shot in the mouth.

McCant’s drug charges and sentencing are unrelated to Fountain’s murder, but Fitchburg police chief Tom Blatter said in February the drug charges factored into the investigation. Blatter said McCants is one of several murder suspects under investigation.

“The two cases parallel and are woven together,” Blatter said. “We haven’t ruled out anyone yet.”

McCants still faces charges of disorderly conduct from December 1999 and a bail-jumping charge from January 2002.

Fountain’s mother, Marie Fountain, has worked with city officials to put together a $5,000 reward fund for people with vital information who have not yet come forward.

To submit information to the investigation of Fountain’s murder, call Crime Stoppers at 270-4321 or 270-4300.