Bowdoinham Felon Skipper Busted with Hidden Heat

PORTLAND, Maine – Another Maine criminal with a history of violence is off the streets after pleading guilty to a federal firearms charge. Rodney Skipper, 46, of Bowdoinham, admitted in U.S. District Court today that he illegally possessed three handguns despite being a convicted felon. This isn’t a case of a responsible gun owner; it’s a repeat offender flaunting the law and putting the public at risk.

The trouble began in September 2024, when Brunswick police responded to a reported shoplifting incident at the local Walmart. Officers quickly zeroed in on Skipper, who had already retreated to his vehicle. A quick scan revealed an empty pistol holster on his hip – a clear indication he’d been packing heat. Witnesses confirmed seeing Skipper with a firearm in the holster before police arrived, escalating the situation.

A subsequent search of Skipper’s vehicle turned up a small arsenal: a 9mm pistol, a .40 caliber pistol, and a 10mm pistol. All three were seized as evidence. The problem? Skipper was already prohibited from possessing any firearms due to a prior felony conviction for assaultive conduct. This wasn’t a misunderstanding; it was a deliberate violation of federal law.

Skipper now faces a harsh reality. He’s looking at up to 15 years behind bars, a potential fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release after his sentence is served. The U.S. Probation Office will conduct a thorough presentence investigation report before a federal judge hands down the final sentence, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, with crucial assistance from the Brunswick Police Department. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative – a nationwide effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. It’s about taking dangerous individuals like Skipper off the streets and restoring safety to our neighborhoods.

PSN, relaunched in 2021, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention programs, strategically targeting enforcement efforts, and, crucially, measuring the results. You can find more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods at https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/psn. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms comes with severe consequences, and those who choose to break the law will be held accountable.