Sentences cut for father, son in jewelry heist
By MARK MORRIS
The Kansas City Star
A judge on Tuesday cut at least 10 years each from the sentences of two men who conspired to rob Tivol Jewels of millions of dollars worth of jewelry.
Still, U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith left their sentences at a quarter-century in prison.
Angelo Porrello, 82, and his son, Joseph Anthony Porrello, 36, originally were sentenced to prison terms of 39 years and 35 years, respectively. In 1997, the Porrellos agreed to buy jewelry that a gang of armed robbers stole from Tivol and other stores
Other members of the gang received far lighter sentences because they pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors. At Joseph Porrello’s initial sentencing in 2002, Smith said he thought the 35-year term was too harsh but that he had no other choice because of federal mandatory sentencing rules.
After the rules were made advisory last year, an appeals court ordered Smith to reassess the Porrellos’ sentences.
On Tuesday, Smith sentenced each man to a mandatory 25 years for firearms convictions and to a series of one-day sentences, to be served consecutively, for other conspiracy, armed robbery and money-laundering convictions.
