Lewiston Men Convicted of Robbery and Firearms Charges

Contact: Darcie N. McElwee
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Kourtney Williams, 26, and Victor Lara Jr, 33, both of Lewiston, Maine were convicted yesterday following a jury trial in U.S. District Court of robbery conspiracy and using a firearm during a crime of violence.  Williams was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Both were found not guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

Court records and trial evidence revealed that on August 2, 2014, at about 11:00 p.m., the defendants and Ismael Douglas broke into a residence on the Garfield Road in Minot, Maine intending to steal drugs and money from its occupants.  Williams was armed with a handgun and Lara was armed with a crowbar.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge, an additional term of seven years to life on the use of a firearm charge and a $250,000 fine on each count.  In addition, Williams faces an enhanced sentence as an armed career criminal of 15 years to life on the firearm possession charge, and a $250,000 fine.  They will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.  On August 11, 2016, Douglas pled guilty to robbery conspiracy and using a firearm during a crime of violence and awaits sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Maine State Police, the Lewiston and Auburn Police Departments, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.