Scott Lynch Jr, Illegal Gun Possession, Maine 2023

BANGOR, ME – A reckless act of target practice turned into a federal case for Scott Lynch Jr., 23, of Millinocket, Maine. Lynch pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, a charge stemming from a 2020 incident where stray bullets damaged a residence in Exeter, Maine.

The trouble began in November 2020 when the Maine Warden Service (MWS) responded to complaints of gunfire near a home in Exeter. Homeowners reported hearing shots fired from across a pond and witnessing two individuals clad in hunter’s orange. A warden’s investigation quickly turned up bullets embedded in the walls of the property. Lynch and a 14-year-old juvenile were located in a nearby parked truck.

Lynch initially admitted to target shooting, casually revealing his prior felony conviction to the responding warden. A search of the woods where they’d been firing yielded .22 caliber and .308 caliber casings. The situation escalated when authorities went to the juvenile’s home to recover a .22 rifle, where the minor’s mother revealed a second, hidden rifle. Lynch, shockingly, had the key to the gun case containing both weapons on his person.

The firearms – a .308 caliber rifle and a 9mm pistol – were quickly identified as stolen, having been taken from a vehicle in Millinocket. Lynch confessed to trading a dirt bike for the illegally obtained weapons. Crucially, both guns had their serial numbers deliberately obliterated, further compounding the severity of the crime. The MWS and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) jointly investigated the case, piecing together the evidence of Lynch’s unlawful possession.

Now, Lynch faces a significant prison sentence. He’s looking at up to 10 years behind bars, a potential fine of $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. A presentence investigation report is underway, and a federal district judge will ultimately determine his fate based on sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors. The case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms carries severe consequences, especially for those with prior convictions.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, led by U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee, prosecuted the case. The Maine Warden Service and ATF agents worked tirelessly to bring Lynch to justice, ensuring that those who endanger communities with illegal firearms are held accountable. This conviction demonstrates a commitment to tackling gun crime in Maine and protecting residents from harm.

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