Less than two months after committing an armed robbery in downtown Warren, a Jamestown man is heading to state prison for at least the next seven years.

Michael C. Lee, 34, was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda on Friday to 86 to 172 months in state prison on charges of robbery, prohibited possession of a firearm and terroristic threats.

City of Warren police were dispatched at about 2:15 a.m. on Dec. 2 to speak to a victim who subsequently reported that he had been robbed at gunpoint by someone wearing dark clothes and a ski mask. The individual took a cellphone, cigarettes and a lighter.

Within four minutes of receiving that information, police located a man, Lee, matching the description who was in possession of the items.

Lee is also accused of using a gun to threaten a man in Conewango Township on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a man drove his car close to Lee, then came back to apologize, at which point Lee allegedly pointed a gun at him. Police conducted a search, but did not find any suspects at that time.

Assistant Public Defender Francis Waweru acknowledged his client’s “significant” drug and alcohol issue which, he believes, led to these charges.

“He’s apologetic,” Waweru added, noting that Lee has shown remorse from the first time they met.

Waweru asked for leniency “to give him a shot at making something out of his life.”

District Attorney Rob Greene acknowledged that heroin and fentanyl “no doubt” played some role in this conduct but he highlighted the crimes that Lee allegedly committed in New York State just weeks before this incident.

“New York let him go,” Greene said. “This is not New York state. Here we take charges a little more seriously.”

He said he appreciated Lee’s willingness to take responsibility but said “heinous acts” like this “can’t be tolerated.”

“We don’t let people go that do that,” Greene said. “I don’t believe Mr. Lee deserves a break.”

Lee apologized to the victims and community and said he “had no right” to the victim’s belongings.

He said he “never could have” done this when sober.

“I’m deeply sorry. I believe New York should have never let me go. I take full responsibility,” Lee said.

He added he is “ready to accept” the punishment. Lee outlined several life incidents that led him to this position.

Skerda said that his record speaks volumes, with a string of crimes in 2019, 2010 and 2011 and then nothing until 2021.

“The court understands circumstances,” Skerda said, but acknowledged that the need for “accountability” is clear.

Lee was sentenced to 65 to 130 months incarceration, $150 in restitution, $2,975 in fines and fees, a no contact/no trespass order, priority for drug and alcohol treatment in state prison and 12 months of reentry supervision on a count of robbery; six to 12 months incarceration on a count of possession of firearm prohibited and 15 to 30 months, $1,675 in fines and fees, submission of a DNA sample and credit for 57 days time served on a count of terroristic threats.