A Minnesota man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for multiple robberies targeting auto parts stores across the state. The federal court handed down the sentence after he was convicted of six separate incidents. However, individuals accused of robberies are always presumed innocent until prosecutors can prove their guilt in court.
The man who was recently sentenced to prison for committing multiple robberies apparently went on a robbery spree that ended in November of 2017. Authorities said the 33-year-old man targeted automobile parts stores in Minnesota over the course of several months. The man then allegedly committed several other robberies in two other states.
The man ended up being found guilty of robbery in February. At his trial, the prosecution recommended that he receive a sentence close to the maximum sentence possible. In addition to being ordered to spend time behind bars, he has been charged restitution totaling around ,500.
When people are charged with felonies, like robberies, they have a couple of options. First, they can go to trial to defend themselves against the charges, and second, they can seek to negotiate plea agreements with the prosecution. At trial, the prosecution has to be able to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt — which can be a difficult feat — before any conviction is rendered. However, seeking a plea deal may be advantageous if the prosecution appears to have strong evidence to present at trial. Either way, an attorney will push for the best outcome for the client given the nature of the criminal charges filed against him or her in Minnesota.