An Augusta man, Raymond Lilly, has admitted guilt in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing a firearm despite his previous felony convictions. Court records state that in September 2023, Augusta police found Lilly at a Mill Park encampment where they discovered pills in his tent. Lilly acknowledged he had no prescription for the pills. Upon his arrest, a Smith & Wesson model M&P 15, .22 caliber rifle was found in his possession. Lilly's past convictions in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine legally barred him from having firearms.
Lilly could face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of up to three years. His sentence will be determined following a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office, with a federal judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, working alongside the Augusta Police Department, spearheaded the investigation. This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that unites law enforcement and communities in reducing violent crime and gun-related violence. This collaborative effort seeks community trust, supports violence prevention organizations, emphasizes strategic enforcement, and evaluates outcomes.
