BANGOR (AP) – A violent career criminal described by a federal judge as a “predator” who will likely die behind bars was sentenced to 34 years in prison for a robbery in Orland in which he used stolen guns.

Lionel Cormier, 52 and formerly from the Boston area, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for a March 2003 robbery in which he took OxyContin and other prescription drugs from the victims, then transported the narcotics and guns used in the crime across state lines to Massachusetts.

That, plus his designation as a career criminal, elevated the sentence ordered by Judge George Singal.

“You are a predator, Mr. Cormier,” the judge said as he handed down the sentence. “You have lived a life of crime from your youth and you will no doubt die in prison.”

Cormier is in questionable health and undergoes dialysis three times a week.

His lawyer, Robert Napolitano, who had asked for a five- to seven-year prison term, immediately appealed Cormier’s 34-year sentence.

Cormier’s past convictions go back 30 years and include kidnapping and robbery. In one case he cut off the ear of a victim.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Malone described Cormier as “ruthless” and said that during one robbery, he beat a dog nearly to death with a golf club because it barked.

Cormier was acquitted of a 1981 killing in Dedham, Maine, that was never solved. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Malone noted that he had bragged about having committed the murder.

“It’s hard to top Miss Malone,” said Cormier, accusing Assistant U.S. Attorney Gail Malone of “clouding the water” by bringing up the Cochran murder.

“I’ve been in jail all my life,” he told the judge. “You think I need the government to throw their weight on me? That’s ludicrous. Just save a spot in the cemetery for me.”

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