BANGOR, Maine — A man awaiting sentencing on a smash-and-grab burglary at a Corinth store in 2012 was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury for Social Security fraud.
Clifford John Sprague, 37, of Exeter is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court.
Sprague pleaded no contest in March 2013 to arson, burglary, aggravated criminal mischief and theft for his role in the A. E. Robinson break-in.
He was the “mastermind” behind the June 22, 2012, break-in, according to Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy. Sprague and three others backed a stolen pickup through the front doors of the store and stole cigarettes and a lottery ticket dispenser.
They later set the truck, stolen from a Corinna dealership, on fire to cover up the crimes. The three others charged in the case — Robert L. Mason, 31, of Corinna; Rosemary Peterson, 29, of Palmyra; and Michael W. Chapman, 40, of Sanford — already have been sentenced for their roles.
The federal charge stemmed from Sprague’s application for disability benefits in November 2011, about seven months before the burglary, according to the indictment. His girlfriend allegedly said he was disabled and had to clean, bathe, dress and cook for him.
On the federal charge, Sprague faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the Social Security fraud charge.
Sprague’s attorney for the federal case, Matthew Erickson of Brewer, said Thursday he expected it would be concluded before the end of the year and Sprague’s sentencing on the state charges would go forward.
Sprague’s plea agreement with Almy on the state charges calls for the prosecutor to recommend a sentence of 12 years, the district attorney said Thursday.
Sprague’s attorney, Hunter Tzovarras of Bangor who is representing him on the state charges, will be free to argue for a lesser sentence.
A sentencing date has not been set because the deal also calls for Sprague not to be sentenced until after his federal case is concluded.
In addition, Sprague also has been charged in connection with a May 13, 2013, fight with then-fellow inmate Nicholas Sexton, who was convicted of murder last May, which resulted in injuries to two corrections officers, according to Almy.
Sprague was indicted in March 2014 on two counts of assault on an officer and one count of assault. The charges are pending, according to Almy.
BDN writer Nok-Noi Ricker contributed to this report.