Detroit man draws 116-year fed prison sentence for robbing phone stores

DETROIT — A 29-year-old Detroit man convicted of using a gun to rob phone stores has been given an extraordinary sentence of 116 years in federal prison.

Timothy Carpenter’s sentence is long because he was convicted of crimes that carry mandatory, consecutive sentences under federal law.

He was accused of robbing phone stores in the Detroit area and Warren, Ohio, over a two- to three-year period.

Authorities said Carpenter robbed the Parkman Road Radio Shack on March 4, 2011.

Carpenter was sentenced Wednesday by Detroit federal Judge Sean Cox.

Ahead of the hearing, defense lawyer Harold Gurewitz said the punishment would be “grossly disproportionate” to the crimes and unconstitutional. He says guns were used but never fired.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade says the sentence, however, sends a “powerful message” that using guns to commit crimes won’t be tolerated.