Feds want Hammond man to pay $723K, serve 18 years in prison

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - Federal prosecutors have recommended 28 years in prison and payment of $723,445 in victim restitution for a Hammond man who shot and severely wounded a store clerk while carrying out a violent armed robberies in 2015.

Gregory J. Smith, 28, pleaded guilty in December 2019 before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich to nine felony counts that could carry a maximum of more than 150 years in prison.

The federal government has now recommended a 135-month prison sentence on six robbery counts, a consecutive 10-year term for discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and another seven years for brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, according to court records.

Alternatively, Smith's attorneys have sought an 18-year sentence, followed by supervised release and credit for time already served. They have also asked for Smith to receive mental health and residential drug treatment.

Each of the November 2015 robberies was 'œno doubt terrifying'ť for everyone involved, federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum, but noted a robbery at Hammond Liquors was 'œterrifying on a wholly different level,'ť according to The (Northwest Indiana) Times.

The store clerk did not believe Smith's gun was real until he shot her, prosecutors said. The woman had significant wounds - including the loss of her arm - and was hospitalized for two months before undergoing months of physical rehab.

The victim and her husband sold the store as a result of the robbery, prosecutors continued, noting their lives were 'œentirely changed.'ť

Smith's girlfriends, Jessica Tate, of Hammond, and Heather Wright, of Gary, were also charged in the case for allegedly using Tate's car to carry out the robberies.

Tate and Wright previously pleaded guilty last year to their roles in the holdups and were each sentenced in July to complete probation and pay $2,890.88 in restitution.