Biddeford man sentenced for Portland shootout

Published Date Written by Staff Report

A Biddeford man was sentenced to federal prison on Tuesday for firing a gun at officers when they attempted to arrest him in Portland.
Arien L'Italien, 22, was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of assault on a federal officer, illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the U..S. Attorney's Office.
In January, federal marshals located and attempted to arrest L'Itlalien on Mellen Street when he ran and fired at the officers, according to a press release. Federal marshals returned fire and L'Italien was hit in the leg, according to a press release, and treated at Maine Medical Center.
During the hearing, Judge Nancy Torresen reviewed L'Italien's criminal record that dated back to when he was 13 years old.
"You are a very violent young man and it is only for the grace of God that you haven't killed someone," the judge said during the sentencing.
On March 10, L’Italien was caught after slipping from his Cumberland County Jail cell by manipulating the lock and having sex with inmate Karla Wilson, according to the sheriff's department.