A 26-year-old Gardiner man pleaded guilty Tuesday to robbing the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Bridgton last Thanksgiving.
Robert Richard entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Portland.
He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to the prosecution’s version of event, Richard entered the pharmacy Nov. 28 “wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, sunglasses and a bandanna over his face” and handed the pharmacist a note demanding “all your oxycodone now.”
Richard was given several bottles of oxycodone and fled from the scene in a car.
He was arrested on the charge Sept. 25 and initially pleaded not guilty.
He changed that plea Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge D. Brock Hornby.
Richard remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing set for March 3, 2015.
Richard was represented by attorney David Beneman, of the Federal Defender’s Office. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. Lipez.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Bridgton Police Department. They were assisted by Augusta and Gardiner police, as well as the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.
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