Decades in prison for man who robbed South Street jeweler

Sentencing was announced today for the couple convicted in the robbing and slashing of a South Street jeweler.

John Benson and Sheakia Stubbs were convicted in August for the incident in February 2010 in which they stole from the store and fled on foot. Benson was additionally charged for slashing the store owner during a pursuit, and both faced charges for leaving their 4-year-old son behind at the scene.

Action News reports Benson was sentenced to 30 to 72 years in state prison. Stubbs was ordered to serve up to 23 months, but was immediately paroled and will be on two years’ probation.

Benson was found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated assault for his attack on the owner, in addition to robbery, conspiracy, retail theft and child endangerment charges. By August, Stubbs had already served a longer prison term than her sentence guidelines require.