Rumford man pleads guilty to federal gun charge

Keith Provencher

- Maine Sex Offender Registry

PORTLAND — One of three defendants charged with burglarizing a Mexico gun shop on Jan. 29 pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a federal gun charge late Wednesday afternoon, according to the U. S. Attorney's Office.

Keith Provencher, 27, of 206 Cumberland St., Rumford, admitted guilt to one count of theft from a federally licensed firearms dealer, Assistant U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee said.

She said Provencher would remain in U.S. Marshal custody in a Maine jail until his presentencing hearing in the Portland court in two to three months.

She did not name the other two defendants or list their charges.

No further information was available Wednesday on the federal case against Provencher, which only became public when Provencher pleaded to the crime, McElwee said.

The charge against Provencher was brought by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives after the burglary of Casey's Auto and Gun Shop, during which eight handguns and a rifle were stolen.

Mexico police arrested Provencher early Monday morning at a party at 23 Osgood Ave. in Mexico, on charges of aggravated criminal mischief, obstructing government administration, disorderly conduct, assault and violation of conditions of release.

Unable to make bail on those new charges, he was held in Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn until Wednesday.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com