A Florida man was sentenced Aug. 17 to six and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty to committing four armed robberies, including one at the Cornish Rite-Aid.

Lee Wilson, 29, of Florida, and Michael Frisco, 35, of Standish, pled guilty to stealing over 27,000 milligrams of the narcotic OxyCodone from four pharmacies last fall.

More than 16,000 milligrams were stolen from the Cornish Rite-Aid on Sept. 26, 2004, in the first of the robberies. The two men also robbed a Community Pharmacy in Gorham and Rite-Aids in Gorham and Naples.

In each instance, Wilson entered the stores with Frisco. Wilson passed a threatening note demanding Oxycontin, a prescription drug that contains Oxycodone, to the pharmacist, then brandished a pellet gun that looked idenitical to a real handgun.

Fingerprints belonging to both men found on a note left behind at one of the scenes led to their arrests, according to U.S. Attorney Paula D. Silsby.

Because both the Rite-Aid and Community pharmacies that were robbed are part of interstate chains, the men were charged with federal crimes as a part of the Hobbs Act – a statute used for crimes that create interference with interstate commerce through force or extortion.

“Mr. Wilson has an extensive criminal history,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee. He also faces three years of supervised release following his prison term, and must pay $5,751.96 in restitution.

Frisco, who has no previous criminal record, is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 14. Both men will serve their sentences in federal prisons outside Maine.

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