Valdosta, GA – A federal judge gave a trio of Florida bank robbers known as the “ Dougherty siblings ” 35 years a piece for a crime spree that included a Georgia bank robbery and a shootout with Colorado police.
CBS News reports that Senior Judge Hugh Lawson sentenced Ryan Dougherty, Lee Grace Dougherty and Dylan Dougherty Stanley to identical sentences for their roles in the crime spree. All three siblings got 35 years each for their crimes.
The Associated Press reports that Lawson went beyond normal sentencing guidelines. Even though the three siblings were young and impulsive, their “escapade” could not be condoned in any way. “Let me say this – this was a crazy dangerous thing,” Lawson said from the bench. “I just think it is a miracle that no one was killed.”
Though two of the Dougherty siblings remained silent, Ryan Dougherty spoke against the judge’s decision, calling it rash and “not in line with the crimes I’ve committed.”
All three siblings did apologize to employees of the Valdosta bank, where the robbery took place. Dylan Dougherty Stanley admitted the trio put them in a “scary situation.”
The Dougherty siblings did plead guilty to Colorado charges stemming from their August 2011 arrest. Those sentences were ultimately vacated as part of a plea agreement based on consideration or charges the trio would face in Georgia and Florida.
All three Dougherty siblings were sentenced to 35 years and 8 months, and five years of supervised released after their prison sentences are served. There’s a “silver lining” for the siblings that got 35 years, however. With good behavior they could be out after 30 years.
