Gorham Bank Robber Gets 22 Years

PORTLAND, Maine – A brazen daylight bank robbery in Waterboro last summer landed a Gorham man a hefty 22-year federal prison sentence. Timothy Riley, 42, learned his fate today in U.S. District Court, after pleading guilty on March 17, 2025, to robbing a local bank and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Judge Nancy Torresen didn’t mince words, sentencing Riley to 22 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered Riley to pay full restitution to the victim bank – the amount wasn’t disclosed, but likely covers the stolen cash and associated security costs. This wasn’t Riley’s first dance with the law, and the judge clearly took his extensive criminal history into account.

The robbery unfolded in June 2024. Court records detail how Riley stormed into the Waterboro bank, demanding money from a teller while menacingly displaying a Glock Model 19 handgun. He made off with an undisclosed sum, ditching the scene on a dirt bike, attempting a quick getaway. But York County Sheriff’s Office deputies weren’t far behind.

The pursuit was short-lived. Riley quickly veered off-road, leaving the deputies’ vehicles unable to follow. However, a determined canine unit tracked Riley’s path, leading investigators to the recovery of a handgun and a dark-colored baseball cap – items matching the description of those used during the robbery. Riley was apprehended later that evening and, faced with the evidence, confessed to the crime.

This conviction isn’t a standalone incident. Riley’s rap sheet is lengthy, including prior state convictions for burglary and robbery, and a previous federal conviction for interfering with commerce by robbery. That history is what ultimately barred him from legally possessing any firearms, turning the Waterboro heist into a particularly serious offense.

The FBI spearheaded the investigation, working in close coordination with the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Buxton Police Department. This case serves as a stark reminder that armed robbery will not be tolerated, and those who choose to threaten bank employees and the public will face significant consequences. Riley’s 22-year sentence sends a clear message: crime doesn’t pay, especially when a gun is involved.