An Oakland man pleaded guilty on May 5 in U.S. District Court in Bangor to possessing stolen firearms.
Court records show that Cody Smith, age 24, broke into a pawn shop in Waterville during the early morning hours of August 10, 2025, and stole 23 handguns. Surveillance footage from inside the building and nearby businesses captured the break-in. Within hours of the burglary, Smith posted videos on social media displaying some of the stolen firearms and admitting to his involvement.
Smith could face up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will occur after completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Waterville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, which is described as “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The initiative brings together efforts from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for Maine; prosecutes federal crimes; handles civil matters involving government interests; collects debts owed to the United States; builds alliances with other law enforcement agencies; operates offices in Portland and Bangor; covers all regions statewide; enhances quality-of-life through law enforcement efforts; collaborates across local, state, and federal levels according to the official website.
