BANGOR – An Old Town man has been sentenced to five years, the mandatory minimum, in federal prison for growing marijuana plants at his family camp on Route 43 and illegally possessing guns.

Larry N. Perkins, 49, also was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court to four years of supervised release after his release from prison.

In addition, he was ordered to forfeit $1,250 in cash and $25,000 for his share of the property where the marijuana was discovered growing nearly three years ago.

He faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Perkins pleaded guilty a year ago on the day his trial was set to begin to charges of manufacturing marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge John Woodcock last month denied Perkins’ motion to withdraw his guilty plea and proceed with a trial. Defense attorney Robert M. Napolitano of Portland told the court Wednesday that he would appeal the case to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.

Woodcock refused on Wednesday to release Perkins, who has been in jail awaiting sentencing, while his appeal is pending.

Old Town police, along with state and federal drug agents, searched Perkins’ home on July 11, 2003, after receiving a tip that he was growing marijuana there. The residence is a remodeled hunting camp that has been in his family for years, according to court documents.

Law enforcement officials found 100 mature marijuana plants – 99 growing along the tree line of the property and one in a shed. Inside the residence, grow lights, fertilizer, processes dried marijuana, and $1,250 in cash were found.

Officers also found nine firearms. Perkins was prohibited from having guns because of a 1998 conviction for domestic violence.

Perkins’ case has moved slowly through federal court in Bangor. He has had four attorneys, three of whom withdrew from the case.

Lynne A. Williams of Camden was his court-appointed attorney last year when he pleaded guilty to the charges. She withdrew from the case in November after Perkins hired Napolitano to represent him.