The charge arises out of a shooting that took place on Nov. 16, 2015 in the vicinity of Fore and Market Streets in Portland’s Old Port district. According to the complaint, Okot possessed a Springfield Armory USA Model SA XD-9 subcompact handgun that was recovered from a vehicle that he drove that day. Okot was prohibited from possessing the firearm because of a 2011 conviction for felony murder.
If convicted, Okot faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
It is expected that Okot will make an initial appearance in federal court today at noon.
The investigation is being conducted by the Portland Police Department; and the Southern Maine Gang Task Force comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and the Portland, South Portland, and Lewiston Police Departments.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
