United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced last week that Joseph Morrill, 23, of South Portland, pleaded guilty Monday, Aug. 19, in U.S. District Court in Portland to federal armed robbery and firearms charges.

According to court records and evidence introduced at the plea hearing, on Sept. 21, 2012, a Glock pistol and a badge belonging to a law enforcement detective were stolen from a motor vehicle in South Portland. On April 17, Morrill used the pistol to rob a Cumberland Farms store in South Portland absconding with $182 in cash. On April 22, Morrill used the pistol to rob a TD Bank branch in South Portland absconding with $5,612 in cash. On June 14, agents seized the handgun during the execution of a federal search warrant at a residence in South Portland.

Delahanty said Morrill faces up to 30 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for robbing Cumberland Farms, up to 25 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for robbing TD Bank, a consecutive sentence of between seven years and life imprisonment for using the stolen pistol during and in relation to the TD Bank robbery, and up to 10 years for possessing the stolen firearm.

Morrill will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted by the South Portland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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