Berwick Burglar Brake Admits to Illegal Gun Possession

PORTLAND, ME – Adam Brake, 29, of Berwick, Maine, has confessed to a federal crime that adds another layer to a sordid history of breaking and entering. Acting United States Attorney Richard W. Murphy announced today that Brake pled guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally possessing firearms – weapons obtained through the fruits of his criminal activity.

The case stems back to May 2016, when Brake systematically targeted homes in the Berwick area, committing a total of eight burglaries. It wasn’t just jewelry or cash he was after. Nine firearms were among the stolen goods, later recovered by law enforcement. But Brake didn’t hold onto the loot. He used some of the stolen property to fuel a heroin habit, making trips to Lawrence, Massachusetts to trade stolen items for the drug. The rest he stashed in the woods, hoping to avoid detection.

Recovered items linked Brake to six of the burglaries. The discovery of the firearms, however, carried significant weight. Brake was already prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a prior drug felony conviction – a fact that turned a property crime into a serious federal offense. The ATF took a keen interest, and the investigation quickly broadened.

“This wasn’t simply about stolen property,” stated a source close to the investigation who wished to remain anonymous. “This was a convicted felon actively acquiring and possessing weapons, creating a clear and present danger to the community. The fact that he traded stolen goods for heroin just adds another disturbing element to the story.”

Brake now faces a harsh reckoning. He’s looking at up to 10 years behind bars and a hefty $250,000 fine. Sentencing is pending completion of a presentence investigation report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office, which will provide the judge with a detailed overview of Brake’s criminal history and personal circumstances. The report will likely factor heavily into the final sentence.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the North Berwick, South Berwick, Berwick, Wells and Eliot Police Departments, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The agencies worked together to piece together the evidence, connect Brake to the burglaries, and ultimately bring him to justice. This case serves as a grim reminder that even seemingly isolated local crimes can have far-reaching federal implications.