Rodney Skipper, a resident of Bowdoinham, was sentenced on April 9 in U.S. District Court in Portland for illegally possessing firearms after having been previously convicted of a felony offense.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. ordered Skipper, age 46, to serve two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Skipper had pleaded guilty to the charge on September 11, 2025.
According to court records, Brunswick police responded to a Walmart following reports of a possible shoplifting incident and were directed to Skipper outside the store. Officers observed an empty pistol holster on his hip and were informed that he had been seen with a firearm prior to their arrival. A search of his vehicle led officers to find three pistols: one 9mm, one .40 caliber, and one 10mm. Due to a previous felony conviction related to assaultive conduct, Skipper was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with help from the Brunswick Police Department.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues and combating violent crime through targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
