BIDDEFORD On June 17, two males from Biddeford were found guilty of robbery, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl, unlawful firearm possession, and use of a firearm during and in connection with narcotics trafficking.
After a six-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Portland, the verdict was rendered.
In the Biddeford region, Nathaniel Ashwood, 37, and Lloyd Lyttle, 35, supplied drugs and used violence and threats of violence to defend their drug distribution interests, according to court documents and testimony during the trial.
In order to intimidate locals and gain control of the local drug market, Ashwood and Lyttle used firearms and physical force to rob and assault a rival drug dealer and two other people in the vicinity of Cutts Street in Biddeford on the evening of July 28, 2023, according to witnesses at the trial.
Both Ashwood and Lyttle had been convicted of felonies that prevented them from owning firearms at the time of these assaults.
Ashwood could receive a life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years.
Lyttle could receive a life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 14 years.
Following the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office, both men will receive their sentences.
The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory considerations will be taken into account by a federal district court judge before imposing any punishment.
The Springfield, Vermont Police Department assisted the Biddeford Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in their investigation.
