AUGUSTA, Maine — An Augusta man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of crimes, including the robberies of three Maine pharmacies within a four-day period last summer to feed his prescription pill dependency.
Shawn Merrill pleaded guilty Monday in Kennebec County Superior Court to 16 offenses dating to 2010. The judge sentenced him to 25 years with 10 years suspended, and five years of probation.
Authorities say the 27-year-old Merrill robbed pharmacies in Randolph and Waterville on June 12 and another in Fairfield on June 15, while on probation for a gas station robbery in Augusta. Merrill demanded oxycodone at all the pharmacies and indicated in a note and sometimes verbally that he had a gun.
The Kennebec Journal reports that Merrill tearfully apologized in court.
Tearful because he got caught!
“tearfully apologized”
Apology accepted……in 2027
BDN, what is the Judges’ name? Mug shot? More coverage is needed to spread the word to would be robbers that play time is over.
very true Frankie…. the real deal
Finally, a judge in Kennebec County that doesn’t suspend 75% of the sentence. I hope more judges follow suit because its time to put a stop to this.
Great news, now the rest of us can spend $600,000.00 to incarcerate him for the next decade and a half. He’ll eat well, be clothed, and have free medical, dental and eye ware. What’s crime can I commit just to take a vacation there?
There is no need to commit a crime, just stop working. You will basically get the same level of care.
Inmates get free cable right? That’s an extra over state welfare programs.
True, but those on welfare can get free cellphones. Give a little, take a little.
I must say I am a bit surprised someone received a sentence longer than 6 months. That being said, I overheard that’s it’s much easier to get a job at a nursing home or get employment with a home health care provider (where one is free to check out some elderly individual’s medicine cabinet) than rob a pharmacy. The qualifications and requirements are rather liberal, evidently. Less chance of getting caught plus the added bonus of a weekly/bi-weekly check. I hope that’s all it is ..talk. I’d hate to think our elderly citizens are being denied pain meds from those who are trusted with their care. Additionally it puts a negative light on those who work exceptionally hard to care for those who cannot. Sometimes the state of society weighs heavy on my mind.