Maine Man Sought For Killing Activist Girlfriend In Hit-And-Run: Cops

PORTLAND, ME — Maine State Police have launched a nationwide search for the man they say is responsible for the hit-and-run death of his girlfriend at Acadia National Park.

Police are searching for Raymond Lester, 35, of Portland, who authorities have accused of striking and killing 35-year-old Nicole Mokeme with his car. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Lester this week after ruling Mokeme's death a homicide.

According to state police, Mokeme was killed sometime between the evening of June 18 and the early morning hours of June 19 while at the Schoodic Education and Research Center campus in Winter Harbor.

Mokeme, a longtime activist and leader in the local Black community, was at a Juneteenth retreat for Black Mainers when she was killed, the Portland Press Herald reported. Mokeme hosted the event through her organization, Rise and Shine Youth Retreat, which she founded in 2013.

According to the Press Herald, Lester and Mokeme had been dating for approximately three years. The Press Herald also reported that court and conviction records show Lester has a history of domestic violence dating back more than a decade.

Police said Lester is like driving a 2016 Black BMW X3 SUV with Maine registration 5614WM. The vehicle may have front-end or undercarriage damage, police said.

Anyone with information on Lester's whereabouts should call Maine State Police at 207-973-3700.