Oakland Man Sentenced for Pawn Shop Burglary
Cody Smith received a two-year prison sentence for the theft of twenty handguns from a Waterville business.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Property Crime
A federal court sentenced 25-year-old Oakland resident Cody Smith to two years in prison for possessing stolen firearms. The sentence follows a 2025 pawn shop burglary where Smith stole 20 handguns and shared footage of the weapons on social media.
Why it matters
The case, handled under the Operation Take Back America initiative, highlights federal efforts to curb the illegal circulation of stolen firearms. By holding individuals accountable for both the possession and dissemination of stolen goods, authorities aim to prevent further criminal activity involving illicitly obtained weapons.
Cody Smith received a two-year prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $6,995 in restitution. The case concluded in a federal court after Smith pleaded guilty earlier this year.
The players
Cody Smith
He is the 25-year-old Oakland resident who was sentenced for the burglary of a pawn shop.
The details
Smith broke into a pawn shop in Waterville during the early morning hours, where surveillance cameras captured the theft. He later posted videos on social media displaying the stolen handguns, leading to his federal prosecution.
Timeline
August 10, 2025: Cody Smith burglarized a pawn shop in Waterville.
May 5, 2026: Cody Smith entered a guilty plea.
October 6, 2026: The court sentenced Cody Smith.
Legal Context
This case follows the enforcement patterns established by the Operation Take Back America initiative. These federal efforts prioritize the prosecution of individuals involved in the illegal possession and distribution of firearms to reduce local crime rates.
The use of video surveillance from both the pawn shop and neighboring businesses was critical in identifying the suspect. Residents and local business owners are encouraged to maintain updated security systems to assist law enforcement in similar investigations.
The takeaway
This case underscores the role that social media activity plays in modern criminal investigations. Authorities caution that posting evidence of illegal activity online provides law enforcement with direct proof for sentencing and restitution orders.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address Property Crime in the area.
