PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A 65-year-old Port Arthur man was sentenced to 45-years-in prison Wednesday for a gas station robbery due to his extensive rap sheet.
The robbery happened back on September 20, 2022 when James Russel Smith, wearing a mask, entered a Citgo gas station located at 6599 West Port Arthur Rd.
Smith approached the clerk and demanded money in a threatening manner before a good Samaritan heard the commotion outside, rushed in and detained Smith until the police arrived.
On Wednesday, a jury in Jefferson County's Criminal District Court sentenced Smith to 45 years for the robbery.
Smith's long sentence handed down today was the result of a conviction on the robbery charge, and enhancement due to prior felony convictions including two previous robberies, felony theft and a homicide in the 1980's.
Smith was previously convicted by a jury on two counts of murder for killing Danny Alexis and Louis Brown in December 1979 and given 40 years. However, he appealed the case and wound up taking a plea deal for 20 years instead.
Smith was already on parole for felony theft at the time he committed the murders.
After serving his sentence, Smith got out and immediately committed a robbery in 1990 and then again in 1992. He was convicted for both.
These were the felony convictions that were considered in giving him an enhanced punishment for the robbery conviction Wednesday.
Smith will be eligible for parole after serving a quarter of his sentence.
He is still to be tried for another robbery he committed at a later date.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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