Dougherty Gang: Siblings sentenced in cross-state crime spree

GlobalPost

Three Florida siblings accused in a multistate crime spree, including a daring bank robbery in Georgia were given prison time today.

Ryan Dougherty was given 18 years, Lee Grace Dougherty received 24 years and Dylan Stanley-Dougherty got 32 years, all at separate hearings, reported the Associated Press. Prosecutors said Stanley-Dougherty fired at officers pursuing the three siblings before they were captured on August 10. They were the focus of a cross-country search after they shot at a Florida police officer and robbed a Georgia bank. They were caught after their car rolled and crashed into a guardrail during a police chase in Colorado.

More from GlobalPost: Dougherty Gang captured

Lee Grace said at her sentencing that she was trying to protect Ryan, the youngest of the three, who faced a prison sentence for violating his Florida probation, according to the Los Angeles Times. The siblings fled in a Subaru with 10 guns and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition in an attempt to get to Mexico.

"I never tried to hurt anybody," said Dylan in the Huerfano County Jail, reported Colorado's 9News. "Contrary to people's belief, I never tried to hurt anyone. It's true, I had desperation. I'm sorry for the choices I've made.

"I wish I had done things differently. Not sure what I would've done differently. Actions I did take were not my character." 

According to a feature in GQ, the Doughertys made their plan to leave the country after Ryan was told he would not be allowed to live with his unborn son because of his status as a sex offender. At 19, he texted a girl he thought was 13, but who ended up being 11.

Tell us about your experience accessing The World

We want to hear your feedback so we can keep improving our website, theworld.org. Please fill out this quick survey and let us know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous). Thanks for your time!