The Freeborn County District Court affirmed a sentence given to Jason Richard Farris, who was convicted of first-degree aiding and abetting aggravated robbery in connection with an armed robbery at the Northbridge Mall Dairy Queen.

Judge James Broberg had ordered last month a stayed prison sentence, a downward departure from the 48-month presumptive prison time. Farris is participating a rehabilitation program instead of being incarcerated.

But County Attorney David Walker pointed out that judge failed to examine a mandatory minimum sentence required by law, which is 36 months in this case because a gun was involved. To deviate from the law, the court needs to find compelling reasons.

The robbery took place in April of last year. Farris drove Sean Ernest Stenzel to the crime scene. Stenzel went into the shop alone with a gun, tied up two employees and took $1,087.94 from the safe. Stenzel was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison.

Farris provided the gun and was given goods Stenzel bought with the stolen money.

The defense emphasized the submissive role of Farris and demonstrated strong support by his family for rehabilitation.

Broberg said, &uot;Frankly, I’m uncomfortable to disregard the factual basis.&uot; But, he accepted the background information suggesting Farris would be better off with the given alternative sentence.