Lincoln Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms after Domestic Violence Conviction

BANGOR, Maine:  A Lincoln man pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing firearms after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, Acting United States Attorney Donald E. Clark announced.

According to court records, in May 2020, law enforcement officers were called to the home of Matthew Cole, 34, after a family fight complaint. While on scene, officers learned that Cole had recently possessed two firearms—a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun and a shotgun. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found the shotgun in Cole’s bedroom. Officers found Cole about two miles away from his residence. He admitted that he had thrown a handgun while he was walking on the road and directed troopers to the gun on the ground. During a subsequent interview, Cole admitted that he was the handgun’s owner. He stated that he purchased the gun two or three years ago in Mattawamkeag. Cole was prohibited from possessing firearms following a 2018 conviction for Domestic Violence Assault in Penobscot County.

Cole faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He also faces up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.