Toledoan will serve 8 years in prison for pair of robberies

1/10/2014

A Toledo man who admitted he robbed two businesses at gunpoint was sentenced Thursday to eight years in prison.

Anthony Martin, 20, of 247 Mayberry St. was sent to prison by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Frederick McDonald.

He pleaded guilty last month to two counts of robbery with gun specifications for a June 26 holdup of Dollar General, 5860 Lewis Ave., and a June 28 robbery at the Six Pack Bar and Grill, 3223 W. Sylvania Ave.

His attorney, Daniel Arnold, told the court his client had a heroin addiction and committed the robberies in an attempt to get money.

Martin apologized to his victims, saying they had no way to know he didn’t intend to hurt them. “I do take full responsibility,” he said. “There’s no excuse for putting a gun to someone’s head.”

Judge McDonald noted Martin’s age and the fact that he had cooperated with investigators before imposing the sentence.

Two co-defendants already have been sentenced for their roles. David Smith, 22, of 1040 Oakwood Ave. was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery, while Russell Kiker, 21, of Temperance was placed on community control after pleading no contest to obstructing official business.