BIDDEFORD — On Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland, a Biddeford man pleaded guilty to three counts in connection with a robbery of the Family Dollar Store that took place on Dec. 2.
Charles Reed lll, 40, was charged with robbery, using a firearm in relation to a violent crime and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said Reed faces a minimum sentence of 22 years in prison: up to 20 years on the robbery charge, between 15 years and life in prison on the firearms possession charge, and between seven years and life in prison on the use of a firearm charge. The latter sentence must be served consecutively. He also faces fines of up to $250,000 for each of the three counts.
In addition to Reed, his roommate, Walter Heathcote, 25, is charged with robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon in relation to the Biddeford robbery.
Heathcote pleaded not guilty to the charges on Friday in the Portland court.
A third person was involved in the robbery, according to McElwee, but that person’s name is not being released publicly.
According to court documents, Reed and another person, referred to as “Male Robber No. 2,” who was said to be a roommate of Reed and Heathcote, robbed the Family Dollar Store of approximately $600 and cigarettes.
During the robbery, Reed used a rifle to threaten a store employee. Heathcote allegedly served as the getaway driver, according to the court documents.
Reed, Heathcote and the third man were all referred to as drug addicts in the court documents.
Both Reed and Heathcote have prior criminal records. Reed was twice convicted of drug trafficking; both instances took place in 2008. He was also convicted of robbery in 2008.
Heathcote has been convicted of eight counts of burglary, which all occurred in 2009.
Reed was initially arrested in connection with the Family Dollar Store robbery by Biddeford Police on Dec. 11; Heathcote was arrested on Dec. 17. They initially faced state charges before the federal district attorney took over.
Reed is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 25.
Jury selection for Heathcote’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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