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NILES — A Dowagiac man already in prison for an armed robbery related conviction received another prison sentence in Berrien County Trial Court Monday for armed robbery, firearm and assault charges.

Cordeleus Anthony Martin, 36, of Dowagiac, was found guilty of armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony after a jury trial earlier this fall.

Martin was sentenced to 15 years to 45 years in prison on the armed robbery charge, 24 months to five years on the firearm possession charge, 24 months to four years for the assault charge and consecutive two years in prison on the three felony firearms charges. He has credit for no time served and must pay $1,292 in fines, costs and restitution.

The incident occurred April 5, 2023 at Dale’s Mini-Mart in Niles Township.  The Cass County incident for assault with intent to rob while armed that Martin was sentenced for earlier this year actually occurred after the Berrien County incident, on July 27, 2023 at the Stone Lake Marathon in Cassopolis.

Defense attorney Carri Briseno noted that Martin maintains his innocent in the Berrien county incident and is preparing to appeal his conviction. For his part, Martin said he still doesn’t understand how he was convicted of the crime.

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Jennifer Smith noted that Martin was convicted by a jury after hearing all of the evidence. She said his past record includes two felonies and 14 misdemeanors.

She pointed out that Martin’s DNA was found at the scene and that he committed two armed robberies in a short period of time. 

“That makes you a danger to the community,” she said. “The victim was terrified after you put a gun in her face. It was a very frightening experience for her.”